Marina Landscape Donates New Landscape Entrance for Western High School

By Kristen Ness

Volunteers installed irrigation and prepared the ground for fresh greenery and benches. Hunter Industries donated high-efficiency nozzles and new sprinkler heads, and Marina installed them. Photos courtesy of Eric Viado

Due to the age of the school and the budget cuts within California, Western High School in Anaheim was in desperate need of some beautification improvements. Marina Landscape donated a new student garden and large trees for the school back in 2008, and wanted to donate another landscaped area to give the school a fresh look. Marina Design Group designed a landscape and irrigation plan for the front entrance that would integrate with the school's existing layout and give Western an updated appearance.

Marina volunteers prepare the site for planting.

The contractor developed landscape plans that utilized the Anaheim School District's new plant palette, and the Marina Design Group Irrigation Specialist designed a new, efficient irrigation system to keep the plants and trees green and healthy.

On June 19, 2010, the company's field and office crew arrived at the school with a team of more than 20 landscape professionals to start demolition. Trees, shrubs, ivy and concrete were removed from the site to make way for the new landscape. Marina poured new concrete mow strips to minimize turf areas, which will cut back on maintenance and water costs for the school. New high-efficiency nozzles and new sprinkler heads were donated by Hunter Industries and installed by Marina. Boulders were relocated to make the front entrance aesthetically pleasing, and planting areas were prepared.

New plants and trees brighten up the sign in front of the high school. Workers planted Strawberry Trees, Western Redbuds, Butterfly Iris, Bottlebrush, Heavenly Bamboo, New Zealand Flax and Carpet Roses.

The following Saturday, the company supplied another field crew and more office staff volunteers to give the front of the school a $40,000 makeover. Two new benches were installed in an area of decomposed granite for the students to sit in the shade and enjoy the view of some of the school's large oak and pine trees. Workers also planted Strawberry Trees, Western Redbuds, Butterfly Iris, Bottlebrush, Heavenly Bamboo, New Zealand Flax, and Carpet Roses.

More than 60 Western High School students and teachers, including Western High School's Environmental Club, ASB, Principal Paul Sevillano and Assistant Principal Bob Jauregui, were present to assist with the project. Marina's Foreman Guadalupe Florido spent extra time with the students, teaching them about plant care and proper planting techniques in order to make the project educational. Everyone involved was so enthusiastic and dedicated that the project was completed several hours ahead of schedule. The landscape installation turned out to be fun, successful and beneficial for all.