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Rest
Area Projects |
Our Interstate Rest Stop Project started in the Fall of 2000.
It is the first such project in Michigan and, as far as we know,
the first rest stop project by a Master Gardener organization in the
United States. It is no mean feat to plan and coordinate such a
project; as it includes these agencies/organizations -The Michigan
Department of Transportation, The Genesee County Road Commission,
and The Genesee County Master Gardener Association.
Planning is done by the Master Gardeners and approved by both the
State and County Agencies. Plants are provided by the State
Department of Transportation. The County Road Commission provides
the sites and supervision at each area. Master Gardeners plant and
maintain the gardens.
We are fortunate to have the busiest rest stop on I-75 (Northbound -
near Clio) included in our project. Two and a half million visitors
use the three rest areas we plan, plant, and maintain
annually. We get a constant stream of compliments from visitors as
we go about our planting and maintenance duties.
For educational purposes - all plants are identified and on busy
weekends question & answer tables are provided for visitors. The
notable aesthetic improvement visitors comment about provides
motivation for our continuing
contribution of the time and effort it takes to make these projects a
success.
This project is so successful that when the Michigan Department of
Transportation planned for the reconstruction of one of Rest Areas
(US-23) the plan included
enlargement of the gardens. Master Gardeners were asked to participate
planning for these garden areas. We are excited to begin planting this
Rest Area in the spring (2005). |
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