Jekyll Island Hosts Ribbon Cutting of New Recycling Park
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008
The Jekyll Island Authority is proud to announce the grand opening of the Jekyll Island Recycling Park. The park not only provides a clean, convenient location for guests and residents to deposit their recyclables, it has also been designed to be eco-friendly.
A key feature of the Recycling Park is the environmental care that went into the design. The Recycling Park was landscaped by the Jekyll Island Authority staff, led by Cliff Gawron, Landscape Supervisor. All plants are native species that will require little supplemental irrigation once they are fully established, aiding in water conservation. They include sweet grass, cord grass, Florida anise, American Beauty Berry, Saw Palmetto and Southern Shield Ferns. Several mature oaks also grace the site, and every effort was taken to minimize disturbances to these trees during the renovation.
In addition to the native plantings, recycled materials were used for the area’s ground coverings. Refurbished asphalt was used to provide a loose paving surface, and recycled plastic lumber was used to edge the plant borders. Steel edging near the entrance was salvaged from prior renovations of the Jekyll Island Historic District, and mulch in the landscaped area is grindings from storm damage debris that was collected after tropical storm Fay. These environmentally friendly means of improvement can serve as a model for residents and businesses wishing to re-design their yards and gardens in a green manor.
Coastal Disposal & Recycling will handle the processing of items collected at the site and currently accepts cardboard, aluminum, plastic, and newspaper. In addition, oyster shell is collected at the site by the University of Georgia’s Marine Extension Services and used to rebuild oyster reefs. Yard waste and construction debris is not accepted at the site; however, the Jekyll Island Authority runs a weekly route to provide curb-side pick-up of yard waste from Jekyll Island residences.
The above picture was taken at the December 15 ribbon cutting. Pictured are members of the Jekyll Island Citizens Association, Jekyll Island Authority Board, and Keep Brunswick Golden Isles Beautiful and Jekyll Island Authority Staff. Cutting the ribbon are Cliff Gawron, JIA Landscape Supervisor and Bob Krueger, Chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority Board.
