Waterlefe committee makes statement with landscape

A circle of contention has turned into a community oasis in Waterlefe Golf and River Club.

The roundabout leading to Waterlefe Golf and River Club has been transformed from a circle with grass and a singular palm tree into a neighborhood focal point with a lush new landscaping design that ends more than a year’s worth of debate over the site.

“It’s really beautiful. I love the whole design,” said Vicki Joshpe, a six-year resident of Waterlefe. “It makes a statement about the community. First impressions mean a lot and when you are looking to buy in here and you look at that roundabout you can see it’s well kept, well maintained. Any time you do an upgrade like that it only helps the value of your home."

ArtisTree, the landscape company selected by the Community Development District, worked with the neighborhood's Landscape Committee to design and complete the project.

CDD supervisors approved the roughly $59,500 landscape plan on Sept. 18 and work concluded Oct. 23. Costs included excavation, soil, new irrigation, lighting, plants and installation.

CDD supervisors had spent more than a year discussing improvements to the roundabout, contemplating a waterfall or a sandhill crane statue. Ultimately, the cost and support for those options proved unfavorable.

Landscape Committee Chairwoman Dona Lasseter said the committee wanted the roundabout design to have “pizzaz.”

The group’s next task will be to “spruce up” the main entrance from Upper Manatee River Road to the guardhouse, Lasseter said.