Retired landscape designer Peter Bonventre presented his landscape plans and drawings to the Depot Landscaping Committee at its Saturday, June 14, meeting.Bonventre, who has 45 years of landscape-design experience, is the former owner of Bella Carra Landscape Design in Leeds.
“The committee is fortunate to have Mr. Bonventre to work with the volunteers on the committee,” said Marie Cromer, project coordinator. “He has come up with some creative ideas to improve the appearance of the grounds at the depot and will also develop points of interest, such as one near the caboose to honor John Henry, the railroad steel driver.”
At the meeting, the group appointed Bonventre to act as purchasing agent and Marie Cromer to act as contact person with the city of Leeds.
Frank Little is serving as the grant writer for the project.
Rep. Owen Drake, R.-Leeds, is the contact person with Jefferson County.
In addition to Bonventre and Cromer, committee members are Pat Hall, executive director of the Leeds Scenic Byway Management Team; Carl Marbury, president of the Leeds Scenic Byway Management Team; Betty Forman, president of the Dirt Dabbers Garden Club; Anna Goodson, president of the Cahaba Valley Garden Club; Nelda Faulkner, member of the Cahaba Valley Garden Club; Henry Johnson and Harold Faulkner, carpenters; and Judi Brasher.
In addition to Little and Drake, ex-officio committee members are Mayor James Whitfield; District 3 City Councilwoman Carol Phillips; Kevin Fouts, assistant to the mayor; Richard Marbury, city of Leeds; Martha Smith, chairwoman of the board of directors of the Leeds Historical Society; Willa Dean Hinson, treasurer of the Leeds Historical Society; and Jane Henry, recording secretary of the Leeds Historical Society.
The committee will get together again at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 5, at the depot and work on the grounds until 10 or 10:30 a.m.
A brief meeting will follow.
