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Makita has partnered with Can-Am and other off-road brands to offer an amazing Grand Prize: a Makita® Edition 2023 Can-Am Maverick X3 DS TURBO SSV, featuring KMC Grenade Bead lock rims, four TOYO Open Country SXS tires, and a custom wrap provided by SCS Unlimited.

Grand Prize winners also receive a collection of Makita XGT® 40V max cordless tools. The package includes a High‑Pressure Inflator (model MP001GZ01), an L.E.D. Flashlight (model ML001G), a 4‑Speed ½” Sq. Drive Impact Wrench with Detent Anvil (model GWT05Z), a 2.5Ah Battery (model BL4025), and a 40V max XGT® Rapid Optimum Charger (model DC40RA).

“This exciting sweepstakes is built for the Makita user,” said Ryan Lujan, senior manager, brand, Makita U.S.A., Inc. “Our customers work hard and play hard, and off the job site they enjoy the active outdoor lifestyle. Working with Can-Am and other top brand partners, we’ve created a sweepstakes that will take one lucky winner off-road in style, and into Makita’s most powerful cordless system.”

Makita is additionally offering three First Place prizes and five Second Place prizes. The First Place prizes are a 40V max XGT® 2‑Pc. Combo Kit (2.5Ah) (model GT200D). Second Place winners receive a OGIO Metro Backpack, a h2go! 20oz tumbler, a set of Makita FitKnit™ Cut Level 1 nitrile-coated dipped gloves, (model T-04117) and a Makita Hat.

But anyone who’s dreaming of a sweet new off-road ride had better hurry: The sweepstakes ends September 30, 2023. For complete rules and to enter, go to www.makitatools.com/events/sweepstakes.

Photo: Adobe Stock by aomas.

When reading, certain lines stay with you. And for me, an eternal truth will always reside in the last sentence of this selection from writer Kimberly Harrington’s description of her Gen X childhood: Your parents will be busy attempting to self-actualize and/or divorce and you’ll be busy learning about the alphabet and Watergate from TV. They will never, not once, wonder whether you’re hydrated.

Oh, how things have changed! From the castor oil of the 50s to the jazzercise of the 70s, who knew simply drinking water would become a major health fad? But of course, it’s not simply drinking water, is it? There are important things called electrolytes and then there’s caffeine, sugar, one must have a HydroFlask, perhaps a reminder app, etc.

But seriously, how many of us really understand hydration? It may seem like hyped up marketing, but for outdoor workers, like landscapers, who are actively laboring in often extreme heat and humidity, hydration is truly an issue of safety.

Signs Of Mild Dehydration

Photo: Adobe Stock by Patricio.

Unilock® wants to help the next generation of landscaping leaders follow their dreams with its second annual Paving the Future Scholarship. The company will offer more than $60,000 to final-year landscape students.

“We introduced the Paving the Future Scholarship in 2022 for our 50th anniversary,” said Diane Williams, VP of Marketing. “We received an overwhelming response from students at, among others, Michigan State, Purdue, Rutgers, and Algonquin College. Because of this amazing interest, we are excited to continue our scholarship program in 2023 and beyond.”

Anaya Marshall was one such student who received an inaugural Paving the Future Scholarship in 2022. The scholarship put her closer to her goal of becoming the change she wants to see in the hardscape industry.

“The award meant a lot, especially as a woman of color, who are underrepresented in the field,” said Marshall. Her scholarship helped her pursue a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at Ball State University in Indiana. “With the support of Unilock, I was able to finish off the academic year strong and start to establish myself in my career!”

Another 2022 Paving the Future Scholarship recipient was Michael Bednarczyk, a Landscape Management graduate from Michigan State University. “I appreciate Unilock for everything they’ve done to better my future,” Bednarczyk said. “This industry is tough, and I want to pursue it at the highest level possible and learn as much as I can.”

This year, Unilock will award $5,000 each to a minimum of 12 students across the U.S. and Canada. The money will support the students’ tuition, but Unilock will also act as a partner as they start their careers.

The deadline for applications is August 31, 2023. Unilock will annnounce the recipients on or about October 10. To be eligible, applicants must be a permanent resident of the U.S. or Ontario, Canada and be enrolled in their final year of a full-time, post-secondary undergraduate or graduate program within landscape management, landscape construction, horticulture landscaping, turf grass management, or related field at a vocational school, community college, University, or in an Apprenticeship program.

Winners must maintain a minimum cumulative average grade of B and show a desire to pursue a career in landscaping. Unilock is also looking for students who demonstrate leadership and an ongoing commitment to their communities.

To enter, students within the landscape construction or landscape architecture fields of study must submit an application. Applicants may access the application online for landscape construction or landscape architecture.

Do you spend so much time improving your clients’ yards that you have little  time left for your own? Until Wednesday, July 26, Bobcat Company is offering a chance to win its $25,000 Backyard Makeover, along with the opportunity to meet country music superstar Justin Moore. The winner will work with their local Bobcat dealer to create their dream backyard.

In addition to the backyard makeover, the winner will have the opportunity to meet Moore as he joins the Bobcat team in the renovation project. Moore, who has scored ten Number 1 country hits, has been a brand ambassador for Bobcat since 2021. As an owner and operator of multiple pieces of Bobcat equipment, including a compact loader and compact tractor, Moore keeps busy on his own 80-acre property in Arkansas.

Public voting on the Backyard Makeover finalist submissions will begin on August 3 and all votes must be received by August 14. The winner of the Contest will be announced on or about August 31.

Potential Backyard Makeover projects will be evaluated based on originality and creativity in their submission, as well as sharing how the makeover will empower the owners to accomplish more. The contest is open for residents in the U.S. and Canada.

For full contest details, rules and regulations, and to enter for a chance to win, visit bobcat.com/backyardmakeover.

For more Bobcat news, read:

Bobcat Sponsors Parks and Rec Month

Bobcat Exhibit at National Inventors Hall of Fame

Our Industry never stops working, even when the sun is blazing and temperatures are soaring. But, with heat becoming more intense and frequent, it’s crucial to ensure the safety of our crews during the summer months. Here’s a condensed guide of focal points for your Green Industry business, learned from more than two decades of experience.

Preparation Is Key
Before your crews even set foot on the job site, it’s essential to have a pre-shift meeting. This isn’t just a simple pep talk, it’s a way to ensure everyone is aware of the risks they’ll be facing while working in extreme heat. During the meeting, share stories or examples of heat-related incidents and how they were handled. Regularly check in to make sure your crews know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Crews need to do their part during these important meetings. There’s no better learning tool than sharing knowledge between colleagues. If you’ve had a bad experience, or know some tips for beating the heat, share them with your team during these meetings. Never forget that you’re all in this together.

Gear Up And Hydrate
It’s critical to provide your crews with the proper equipment. Light-colored, moisture-wicking shirts and wide-brimmed hats, for example, help prevent negative outcomes while working in extreme heat. Additionally, make sure to set up hydration stations with cold water jugs and electrolyte packets in a convenient location at the site, and encourage your crews to drink water every 30 minutes. At these stations, provide your crews with SPF 50, broad-spectrum, and water-resistant sunscreen.

Gear is only useful if it’s used, so make sure you and the rest of your crew are gearing up before you start the day. Put on that sunscreen, wear your hat, and hydrate. Keep a water bottle with you and make good use of those hydration stations. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water.

Schedule Smart And Identify Cool-Down Zones
Properly scheduling on-site tasks can prevent unsafe exposure to the heat and keep your team safe. Make sure you’re assigning heavy-duty, labor-intensive tasks during the early morning hours or later in the afternoon. While the sun is at its peak, assign less labor-intensive tasks or jobs that can be done in shaded areas of the site. Identify and set aside shaded areas with chairs and even fans as a space for the crew to cool down. Going above and beyond with wet towel stations for neck wraps can also be a game-changer.

As a crew member, it’s critical to pace yourself. Don’t be a hero and take on tasks meant for two people on your own, or try to take on labor-intensive work at noon. Utilize cool-down zones during your breaks, don’t skip those breaks, and always be monitoring your heat levels throughout the day.

Clearly Communicate & Provide Incentives
Make sure you have a culture that fosters open communication and encourages your crew members to speak up if they feel unwell. Beyond that, utilize a buddy system so crew members are looking out for each other throughout the day. Extra incentives, like an ice cream run or cold beverage at the end of the day, are also an excellent way to make sure safety is always at the forefront.

Always keep an eye on your colleagues. If a co-worker is showing signs of heat exhaustion, speak up and encourage them to immediately address their symptoms.

Safety is a collective responsibility, regardless of your position at the business. As a manager, you need to provide the right tools and a safety-conscious environment, while employees need to prioritize making good use of them. The Green Industry is about so much more than cultivating landscapes, it’s about growing a community that values safety as much as it values hard work. Let’s take care of each other and continue to thrive, even under the scorching sun.

Bradley is CEO of Landscape Management Network, a leading B2B landscape business management software company. Among other services, LMN offers Greenius, an online training software for the Green Industry. A recent survey of LMN customers found that 70% identified training as a top priority for their employees in the coming years.

Crary Bear Cat, a leading manufacturer of commercial grade outdoor power equipment, has landed a national purchasing contract from Texas-based BuyBoard of the Local Government Purchasing Cooperative.

BuyBoard is an online catalog available free to any registered municipalities, including government organizations and school districts. BuyBoard strategically reviews vendors through a competitive process so members know they are getting quality products from reputable companies.

The current BuyBoard platform has been helping connect customers and vendors since 1998. With member-only access to exclusive pricing options, organizations can save resources and time that would have been spent on Request for Proposals.

Crary Bear Cat will be listed on BuyBoard as a vendor for Outdoor Power Equipment, including wood chippers, shredders, vacuum shredders, wheeled vacuums, and stump grinders.

“We’re proud to offer our lineup of outdoor power equipment with BuyBoard,” said Hannah Tanata, Crary Bear Cat’s business unit director. “This is a strategic partnership that will offer our customers the best value possible.”

To learn more and to see the entire Crary Bear Cat product lineup, visit www.bearcatproducts.com.

For more Crary news, read:

Crary Bear Cat Announces Forage Chipper: FC400

By Kevin Earley
From the June 2023 Issue

At one time, the 158 acres of land on secluded Highway 30A in the Florida Panhandle were just pure scrub oak, sand, and blue water. But in the late 1970s, Jim Stephens, his wife, Julie, and his father, Elton, purchased the land with a vision to develop a community dedicated to architectural excellence and a deep respect for the natural environment. In 2004, that vision finally came to fruition in Alys Beach, an unincorporated planned community that created the first true permeable road installation in the Panhandle. Nearly twenty years later, the community continues to grow and so too, does the permeable road system.

Belgian Cobble® permeable pavers fit the aesthetic and allowed access to underground utilities. (Photos: Belgard)

Under-Street Utility Access

Named for Stephens’ mother and located in Walton County, Alys Beach was designed in a New Urbanist style, a European, very pedestrian-oriented design. Designers accomplished this style with a Florida spirit by combining Bermudan architecture with alley and courtyard living and a high-end, old colonial aesthetic. The whole town is constructed of masonry and white stucco which reflects light—a sustainable feature. There also are white concrete roof tiles and wood accents.

A more challenging aspect of New Urbanist design is that it calls for utilities to be located under the street. “Two things we knew right away were that it rains a lot there, and the utilities would be accessed regularly as the town continued to grow,” explains town architect MarieAnne Khoury-Vogt. “If we were to put in asphalt, pieces would be cut out and replaced every time the utilities needed to be accessed, creating a terrible patchwork. Asphalt also just did not meet the aesthetic or sustainability goals for the town.”

The team came across Belgian Cobble® permeable paving, a dark gray blend color with a granite-like appearance from Belgard, and decided it not only fi t perfectly with the aesthetic, but the need to access utilities without leaving evidence of disturbance. “You can just pop the pavers out to do what is needed with utilities and then put them back in place and no one ever knows they were disturbed,” says Khoury-Vogt. “I can’t tell you how many times this has been done since the road was first laid. The installers work very quickly.”

Eco-Stormwater Solution

In addition to the issue of access to utilities, the roadway was a key focus of design and planning because of its potential impact on the environment. “This was a legacy project for the family members, who were adamant from the beginning that sustainability be one of the key components of the development,” says Jim Martelli, civil engineer and managing director, Innerlight Engineering Corporation. He has worked with Alys Beach since 2002. “They wanted the neighborhood to stand the test of time and be the best it could be for the environment. A significant part of that is stormwater management.”

Martelli looked at the site conditions. Located in the Panhandle, the site is low and wet and the groundwater is high. What is unique about Highway 30A, and particularly Alys Beach, is that it ranges from 26′ to 35′ above sea level and is all beachfront property. It shoots up 25′ immediately from the Gulf of Mexico to form a tabletop, then undulates through about 158 acres of neighborhood. Additionally, there are approximately 20.5 acres of jurisdictional wetland on the very North side.

“What’s cool about the soils is that they are truly beach sand, a very coarse permeable sand,” says Martelli, noting sustainable development means you have to treat stormwater runoff as close to the source as possible. He continues, “It was determined that this great sandy soil would let us utilize what Nature provided, so we put the stormwater system under the road and the road is allowed to be part of the system itself. This permeable road concept was the first in the Panhandle when we began using it in 2004, and maybe even in the Southeast, because you need the right soils to pull it off.”

He and Robert Reeder, owner of Stone Scapes, Inc., developed the permeable road system together. The road base was a key element to consider. “Typically in a cobblestone roadway, this would include a crushed concrete aggregate base, but there is no permeable benefit to that. The solution was to use a different base material, washed #57 stone,” says Martelli. The #57 is similar to river rock but there are a lot of angular pieces that lock together, which is beneficial for a base.

The Alys Beach planned community in Florida features an old colonial aesthetic, a commitment to environmental sustainability, and an emphasis on pedestrian-oriented design.

Additionally, nearly half of the base consists of air (the space that naturally occurs between rocks), which provides plenty of space for the water to be stored until it infiltrates into the underlying soil. “Given this, the road base also provides some storage for stormwater runoff.” Martelli calculated that 12″ thickness of the #57 stone was suitable to support the anticipated heavy vehicle loads. In addition, the Belgian Cobble is 2 3/4″ thick, helping to achieve the vehicle loading requirement. “We knew if we could come up with a design that would support vehicle loads and infiltrate rainwater we had a multi-purpose pavement system,” says Martelli.

Martelli and Reeder chose to use a nominally 1-1/2″ thick bedding layer of angular chip gravel, known as #89 stone, under the Belgian Cobble paver and to fill the joints. “Rainfall is absorbed almost immediately into the ground, getting filtered in the process,” Martelli says. “Belgian Cobble with washed open-graded aggregate is a great permeable solution because of the width of joints,” adds Reeder. “…we’ve never seen water standing on the roads in the nearly 20 years it’s been there.”

Construction

Permeable Pavers In Landscape Projects

The permeable road system began installation in 2004 and roads were laid before the buildings were constructed. As a result, heavy construction vehicles regularly traveled on the pavers. “It took me by surprise the first day on the job when I walked on them and they moved. I wasn’t sure how they were going to stand up to the traffic they would see,” says Reeder. “I was really impressed when we swept in the 89 stone into the joint openings and the pavers were firmly in place. They have withstood the test of time and heavy traffic and still look good.”

Today, the roadway is continually added to as the community expands and sections are replaced following utility work. Approximately 900,000 square feet of Belgian Cobble to date. “Our first use of the Belgard Belgian Cobble in Alys Beach was the first time we ever laid these pavers,” says Reeder. “They have to be laid by hand because they are not interlocking and come in seven different sizes.”

The permeable road system has helped Alys Beach convey the aesthetic KVA designed for the community while achieving the family’s sustainability goals.

“People regularly bike, walk, skate or push strollers along these alleyways. It all works,” says Khoury-Vogt. “To see it, many people think it looks like a town in Greece or other Mediterranean cities.”

Earley is director, Commercial Hardscapes at Oldcastle APG a CRH Company. Earley is also a LEED Green Associate and a contributor to the American Society of Civil Engineer’s Permeable Pavement Manual and current permeable paver design standards, and is active in technical leadership roles for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute. He has over 25 years of experience related to concrete products used for environmental site solutions. For more information, visit www.belgardcommercial.com.

For more information, read:

• Prevent Permeable Pavement Clogging
• Business Management: Hardscape Maintenance

Do you have a comment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, or send an e-mail to the Editor at cmenapace@groupc.com.

Equip Exposition is gearing up for another exciting event, and are adding a new giveaway to help celebrate its 40th year. Equip is giving away 40 Golden Tickets for those registering before July 31. One of those 40 will be a grand prize winner.

Equip is an annual four-day event for the landscape industry held by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). It features 1,000 exhibits, an outdoor testing area, as well as educational opportunities. In 2023, it will be held October 17-20 in Louisville, KY.

All 40 Equip Exposition Golden Ticket winners receive:

a free ticket to attend the trade show,
a choice of one education session (out of 30+) paid for by Equip,
a meal voucher for the show, and
$50 to spend on Equip Exposition merchandise, such as t-shirts, fall wear, and zip-ups from the official Equip Exposition store.

One grand prize winner will also receive (in addition to the items listed above):

a 3-night stay at an Equip Expo Hotel Room Block,
two front-row tickets to the Thursday Night Headliner Concert featuring Third Eye Blind at the KFC Yum! Center, and
a $400, pre-paid visa card to help with travel expenses.

The Thursday Night Headliner Concert with Third Eye Blind isn’t to be missed. Equip Expo is renting out the biggest Arena in downtown Louisville.

Equip also offers a no-cost, method to enter the Golden Ticket Giveaway.

OFFICIAL RULES CLICK HERE.

For more information on the 2023 event, click here.