Hospice Of East Texas
SERVICES
AWARDS
MARKET
Maintenance
Tree Care
Irrigation
Landscape Installation
City of Tyler Beauty And Business
Healthcare
Before Photos:
After Photos:
Project Description:
The Hospice of East Texas began with one woman’s vision. Mrs. Evelyn Lake visited a friend in Arizona who was receiving hospice care and returned home to East Texas with the certainty that our community needed these caring services. Her spark caught fire with The Junior League of Tyler who made Hospice its signature project, committing $30,000 and countless hours of volunteer time to start the organization. With the support of the area’s three major hospitals, Hospice of East Texas was chartered in 1982.
The services of The Hospice of East Texas have expanded through the years, both in numbers of patients and families served and in the scope of the service area. From 20 patients in 1982 to more than 2000 patients and families now served each year, The Hospice of East Texas now offers its caring services in 23 East Texas counties. A major milestone was reached in 1993 when 23 acres of land were purchased as the site for what is now The Robert M. Rogers Hospice Center, housing both administrative offices and HomePlace, a 28 bed in-patient unit. Also on the campus is the Pat Oge Center for Living, a beautiful home-like setting for bereavement and support services. Successful capital campaigns in 1999 and 2002 allowed these state-of-the-art facilities to be built debt-free, giving The Hospice of East Texas a stability which is remarkable in the non-profit world.
Landscape Maintenance:
The challenge faced at Hospice Of East Texas involved improving the condition of the grounds in an efficient and cost-effective manner. For the landscape, this means a focus on several key areas including growing the right plants in the right places; improving nutrition in the soils for plant growth; mowing, pruning and trimming properly; watering conservatively; and controlling problem pests as they occur.
Fertility and soil health are managed with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese in a blend of readily available and slow release sources. We currently recycle the nutrients in grass clippings by mulching them back into the turf where it is acceptable.
Watering conservatively is an important aspect of being green on campus especially as Texas struggles with supply issues during the summer months.
Preventing and controlling problem insects, diseases and weeds is sometimes a challenge. All products used are done so within an integrated pest management program.
Tree Care:
Many of the shrubs and ornamental trees needed to be cut-back severely during the renovation. A crew from Porowski Lawn & Landscape removed dead, hazardous, and declining trees and pruned mature trees to increase light levels on the property. On an ongoing basis, the many large crape myrtle, oak, and pine trees throughout the property are pruned to insure proper growth habits and healthiness of the trees.
The landscape is an important social aspect of the facility. Many of the landscape elements have been donated and draw special attention from the donors. We work safely and unobtrusively around the constant pedestrian traffic throughout the campus and prepare the grounds for special events such as banquets and advertisement programs held on site.
Irrigation:
Porowski Lawn & Landscape has been continually revamping and upgrading the current irrigation system that was previously pieced together by multiple contractors. We have adjusted the system timers, relocated 14 sprinkler heads, replaced 73 sprinkler heads, replaced filters and nozzles for nearly every head in the system (200+), replaced PVC, and much more. By using higher quality components and properly adjusting and monitoring the controllers across more than 50 hydro zones, the water usage on the campus is managed more effectively. Ongoing monitoring of the system ensures that water is being used wisely when the landscape needs it as well as reducing irrigation when it is not needed. By having a properly functioning irrigation system, we are saving Hospice money in the long run by cutting back on water costs as well as limiting the need for future landscape alterations.
Landscape Installation:
Porowski Lawn & Landscape contracted a scope of work that included the sourcing of grading, site furnishings, enhancements, irrigation, and large tree removal. Due to the location of Hospice Of East Texas, Porowski Lawn & Landscape found working in such a high traffic area and sharing landscape zones with pedestrians a challenge. Our ability to efficiently and safely develop and construct high quality work, from design to finish, stimulated outdoor activity and enhanced value at the care center. The result was a cohesive strategic plan for the entire 25-acre urban site, and the flexibility to efficiently make changes as needed.