Manatee County Partners With Residents to Beautify Neighborhoods & Save Taxpayer Dollars
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (February 3, 2025) – Building on the success of the Adopt-a-Spot program, Manatee County has once again joined forces with local residents to enhance public spaces—this time at the roundabout at 38th Avenue East and 30th Street East in Bradenton.
“This project not only beautifies our community but also encourages citizen engagement and saves taxpayer money,” said District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard.
Over the weekend, community volunteers and County staff worked together to install nearly 400 native and Florida-friendly plants donated by Ralph Taylor's Nurseries, EarthBalance and McKeithen Growers.
But the impact of this initiative goes beyond aesthetics.
“The landscape installed today is ultra-low-maintenance and doesn’t require traditional irrigation systems, which helps reduce runoff, improve water quality and save the County money,” said John Taylor of The Veranda View YouTube channel.
By following the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping, the County hopes to achieve official certification for the site and use it as a model for future neighborhood beautification projects across Manatee County.
“This initiative not only improves public spaces but also inspires residents to incorporate Florida-friendly landscaping in their own yards,” Ballard added.
The County hopes collaboration between residents demonstrates the power of community-driven efforts to create a more sustainable and vibrant Manatee County.