Beach Boulevard Landscaping

[blizz01]

Has anyone seen the overkill that is Hwy17/Park Avenue/Kingsley in Orange Park?  It's a smattering of sabal palms and small oaks - with random Canary Island dates peppered in for good measure.  They're not done, but they've started installing the uplighting in the medians - In all seriousness, the lights are Huge - like as big as what you might see at the base of a national monument huge.  It's like they have so much money set aside from the red light cameras that they can't spend it quick enough.....the perimeter around the retention pond by the dog track looks like a tree farm.

[vicupstate]

I never understood the critique of it supposedly making the feel too "South Florida" -- I mean, are you kidding? That look is unique to South Florida? In what universe?

North Florida is different from South Florida and it should embrace that difference instead of trying to copycat SF.  In many instances oak and other shade trees would provide much needed shade and be more reflective of the local natural environment.     

[remc86007]

^ While I agree generally that we shouldn't try to mimic South Florida, I don't think that there is anything wrong with having palm trees at or near the beach. Post cards from Pablo Beach from over a century ago show palm trees being everywhere there. Also, I don't think Oaks are appropriate for medians because they obscure too much line of sight, would eventually overhang the road and drop limbs on motorists, and (at least on Beach Blvd.) there isn't any need to shade the median or asphalt.

[blizz01]

Agreed. Palms are common at virtually any beach all the way up to NC.

[howfam]

Any thoughts on the palm trees going up in the medians on Beach Boulevard?

Personally, I kinda hate 'em 

Too South Florida for my tastes.

Well, at long last , the final leg of the beautiful Palm Tree planting on Beach Blvd. has begun and thus far, since last week , there are 19 India Date palms (Phoenix sylvestris)  lining the center median between near Parental Home Rd. to Anniston Boulevard. The project should extend all the way to St. Johns Bluff Road. Thanks to City Councilman Scott Wilson for pushing this project. Thanks also to Councilman Reginald Gaffney for having Date Palms (Phoenix dactylifera) and Ribbon Fan Palms (Livistona decora) planted on Harts Rd. center median on the Northside. At least someone is aware of the appropriateness of palms to acknowledge our Florida setting. More palms please.

[KenFSU]

The palms have really -- solid pun incoming - grown on me.

Just had to get used to them.

They're terrible for visiblity in some areas when turning across Beach Boulevard, but I kinda love em now.