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Chapel Valley Counters a Tornado's Destruction at
The University of Maryland with a Whirlwind of Restoration
Chapel Valley Landscape Company held no ordinary summer company meeting this year.
But then again, Maryland isn't used to tornados.
Back on the evening of September 24, 2001, one of the worst twisters in the state's history tore through the College Park campus of the University of Maryland, sadly taking the lives of two college student sisters. It also demolished buildings, uprooted trees and damaged landscaped areas throughout the campus.
As a former Terrapin alum and owner of Chapel Valley Landscape Company, J. Landon Reeve, IV decided to break tradition for this summer's annual company meeting. Until now, the company meeting had always been held at the Chapel Valley headquarters in Woodbine, Maryland and looked like most any other company's annual meeting.
This year was different.
The employees and managers at Chapel Valley decided to focus the July 18th meeting on giving something back to the community that is such a big part of its success. Over 300 employees, sporting neon-green t-shirts stating "We Are Quality", spent half the day's "company meeting" split into three teams of about 100 each to work on various university and public park projects.
The first team focused on a woodland area near the Denton Hall dormitory that had been badly damaged by the tornado. Team members prepped new beds and installed shrubs, perennials, and small trees. A new space was designed for students and faculty to retreat and enjoy the quite woods, complete with picnic tables and a wood-chip path that wanders through the area.
The second team installed a New Orleans-style garden and patio in the rear courtyard of the Department of Dance wing of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, designed by one of Chapel Valley landscape architects, Alan Blalack. The garden's design recognized Alcine Wintz, department chair and a native of New Orleans. The courtyard came complete with arbor and trellis, paved patio, 10-foot southern magnolias, viburnums, boxwood, and irrigation system. Within four hours, the site was beautifully transformed from a flat, empty space to a tiny corner of New Orleans, available for entertaining or a quiet respite for visitors to the Performing Arts Center.
Besides the flurry of activity at the University, the remaining 100 employees branched out to beautify and provide face lifts for four public parks in Prince George's County, owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Many of Chapel Valley's Hispanic employees live near these parks, and one of the parks is the site of the annual Hispanic Festival. This was an important way for the company to thank their workforce for their continual commitment and hard work.
The day proved a win-win situation, both for the 300 employees -- out on a team-building mission that focused on quality workmanship -- and for the university and local parks. Long before the day arrived, Chapel Valley's landscape architects designed the work, and other employees liaised with the company's vendors to obtain donated plant material. Reeve estimates that the total value of the labor and plant material, and irrigation system was over $100,000. Reeve says, "it's a special day in the life of our company when we can work together with our valued vendors, and our valued employees to give something as special as this back to the university and our community parks."
That day in July may just be a memory now, but as Hans Bleinberger, Maryland Regional Manager and former Maryland alumnus, mused: "we&Mac226;ll be able to come by here as a company and as individuals for years to come and proudly say "We did that."
Reeve, who founded Chapel Valley in 1968, is a 1963 graduate of the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture, and has had a long-standing commitment with the college. Besides funding a $1,000. annual scholarship in the College of Agriculture, he serves on advisory boards for the university's landscape program, and provides student internships and full-time employment opportunities at his company.
Many questions will arise when you consider using professionals to landscape your property .
Here are some of the basic steps you should follow in the process:
* Improve a particular area such as front entry, rear patio, flower garden, etc.
* Create a design for a new home, or renovate an existing landscape
* Want only a design, or need help with the construction
* Build a deck, patio, or other "hardscape" element.
* Add a specific feature such as lighting, irrigation system
* Maintenance of an existing landscape.
A landscape design does not have to be completed all at once. Many homeowners divide the work into phases so the cost can be spread over time, even several years.
Whether you are looking for a landscape contractor to bid on specifications and plans drawn up by another party, or a design/build landscape contractor to handle your project from start-to-finish, you can find contractors through a variety of good sources: telephone directories, print advertising, web site searches, industry associations' membership rosters, and, most importantly, referrals from friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.
When comparing contractors, don't make the mistake of comparing "apples and oranges". The low bid on your job may not be your best choice and could even cost you more in the long run. It is important that you feel confident about your choice of the contractor that will work on your project, and that begins with the initial interview.
A long history doesn't necessarily mean the company is a good fit for you.
Don't assume that because the contractor supplies references they must be good. Follow through and contact the references.
This obviously only applies if you require a design?
You should also ask the references about the quality of the work that was performed for them. There is low quality, an industry-standard of quality, and superior quality. Different companies have different notions about what constitutes good workmanship. It is important that you and the contractor agree on this crucial point, and you should expect to pay proportionally.
While the contractor may be a good fit on all other points, if you have a fixed timetable, you may have to eliminate a company because their schedule precludes your project. If your timetable is truly fixed, this should be discussed during the initial contact so you don't waste the time of you or the contractor. It often is worth waiting to get the right company, but only you can decide your priorities.
These may vary from state to state, and region to region.
During and after your contacts with a landscape contractor's representative, if you can answer positively regarding the following observations, it is a good indication that they and their company are right for you.
The representative:
* Was professional in speech, appearance, and conduct;
* Returned phone calls in a timely manner;
* Was punctual for your appointment;
* Vehicle, business card, brochure or other materials were professional;
* Listened to and encouraged your ideas and input;
* Answered your questions to your satisfaction;
* Offered creative solutions to your design, budget or timing concerns;
* Seemed knowledgeable about issues that were important to you;
* Was friendly and helpful, with a business style agreeable to you;
* Inspired confidence and trust.
You needn't become lifelong friends with your landscape contractor, but you will have to interact with them for a protracted period of time so it is important that you are comfortable with the relationship. Also, be fair, open, and honest with your landscape contractor, because good communication and trust will make your project more successful and, just as important, more pleasurable.
3275 Jennings Chapel Road, P.O.Box 159, Woodbine, Maryland 21797, 301-924-5400
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