Childs Landscape Contractors, Inc.

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Childs Landscape Awarded Skip Viragh Outpatient Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins

Childs Landscape has been awarded the landscape, soil, and irrigation on this project by Whiting & Turner.  The Center is slated for completion in 2017 and will be funded mostly by philanthropic gifts. The new facility, to rise on the northeast corner of Fayette Street and North Broadway in East Baltimore, will serve as the primary entry point for cancer care on the medical center campus.

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2014 ABC Award for “Excellence in Construction”

September 2014

Waugh Chapel Towne Centre was one of the most unique projects in which Childs Landscape Contractors, Inc. has had the opportunity to work. The landscaping scope included design, installation, site furnishings, plant material, specialty planting soils, mulch, turf, slope master seeding and bio retention areas. The project scope may seem routine, until you learn that the site is built entirely on a concrete cap, making it impossible to install any plants, trees or shrubs in the ground.

Formerly the location of a mining pit, the site was sold to a buyer who backfilled the pit with Fly Ash. Once the pit was filled, the site was covered with a concrete cap and an overlay of impervious asphalt to prevent permeation. This created the ideal space for a shopping center, but made it nearly impossible for traditional landscaping. Because of the concrete cap, nothing on this site could be planted directly in the ground nor could it receive any permanent irrigation.

The landscaping for this site had to be both visually pleasing and sustainable in the long-term. The resolution to this issue was to place all of the plant material in specially selected large, raised concrete planters weighing over 2,000 pounds. Island areas were planted in soil placed on top of drainage material and mounded to an elevation that would allow for planting. Not all typical plant material would thrive like this, so specific species had to be chosen. For example, the selection of trees installed in the planters were chosen based on aesthetics, municipal requirements and growth rate. Slower growing trees were chosen because they would have a longer life and therefore not require replacement as frequently as fast growing species.

A stream enhancement from the Turner Mining pit that runs through this property, caused additional challenges during the design and installation phases. The constantly flowing stream altered the site frequently necessitating several re-designs.

The difficulty of this project was not limited to the installation. There were also hurdles on the maintenance side. Childs Landscape has held the contract for the maintenance and snow removal at Waugh Chapel Towne Centre since the project’s completion. As previously mentioned, a permanent irrigation system could not be installed. In place of a typical irrigation system, this site requires constant watering by way of water trucks and manual labor. This process occurs in the early morning hours in order to avoid the customer traffic of this very popular retail location. In addition to the scheduling issue, all plant material and turf has to be very carefully monitored due to the drastic weather patterns of the Mid-Atlantic region. The combination of these factors creates an unpredictable schedule that requires constant monitoring.

The entire team at Childs Landscape Contractors, Inc. could not be happier with the outcome of this project. Even though several challenges were presented throughout, our team was able to overcome each of them, including several revisions and detrimental weather factors, to complete a state-of-the-art project of which we are very proud, by the project deadline.

 

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Miss Utility

September 2014

Childs Landscape is honored to be one of the top ranking Miss Utility callers in Maryland.  We will be attending the 2014 Greater Chesapeake Damage Prevention Conference in Ocean City, MD, late October, to be recognized for the “Dig Smart Awards”.

We are very proud of this award as we continue to strive for the “best” safety record in our industry.

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Childs Landscape Awarded Contract for Super Walmart

August 2014

Childs Landscape has been awarded the landscaping at the new Walmart being constructed in Pasadena, MD.  We will be working with Pike Construction Company out of Rochester, NY.  Our work will begin this fall and be completed in spring of 2015.

Additionally Pike Construction has added several bio-ponds to our original contract.

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Childs Landscape Awarded Maintenance Contract for Fort Belvoir Properties

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ARNOLD, MD (June 26, 2014) –  Childs Landscape Contractors, Inc., a commercial-based landscape contracting company with over 35 years’ experience serving Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C., announced today that they have been awarded a five year landscape maintenance contract for multiple facilities on the Fort Belvoir United States Army Installation. Located in Fairfax County, Virginia, Fort Belvoir is the base of many military organizations, home to over 7,000 residents and a workplace for over 50,000 employees.

Sites listed in the maintenance contract include Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, DeWitt Army Hospital, the Logan Building, NPMC Headquarters, the NiCoe Building and others. Childs Landscape has held the maintenance contract for Fort Belvoir Community hospital since 2011. Prior to the hospital’s opening in August 2011, Childs Landscape worked with the project’s architect to assist with the landscape design and completed the entire landscape installation.

“Childs Landscape is honored to have the opportunity to provide maintenance services for one of the country’s largest military bases,” said Harry Redmon, CEO/Owner, “We look forward to continuing our work with Fort Belvoir through the terms of this contract.”

 

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Snow Removal: The Last Thing on Your Mind

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Here in the Maryland area, we experienced a long, cold winter with over 80 inches of snow accumulation throughout the season. So of course as summer finally rolls around, the last thing most of us want to think about is more snow. However, now is the time that commercial property managers and owners need to consider their snow and ice removal plans for winter 2014/2015.

At Childs Landscape Contractors, Inc, we accept all of our snow removal contracts mid-summer in the moths of July or August. It may seem like we’re jumping the gun, but finalizing our winter plans in the summer is crucial to our success as a premier commercial contractor for snow and ice management.

Snow and ice are inevitable during the mid-Atlantic region’s winter months. However, it is never a simple task to predict how often or how much snow/ice will occur. All organizations that deal with snow and Ice management have to be prepared for any weather scenario.

At Childs, we strive to establish our customer base with plenty of lead-time for the snow season. This way we can make sure that we have the necessary materials and personnel resources on-hand to ensure high quality and effective snow removal and ice management for your property when the time comes.

Maximum lead time also allows us the time needed to meet with representatives from each of the properties to create an individual snow removal plan that is best suited for their site. Through the creation of these plans, we are able to clear snow in the most efficient way that minimizes ice formation and also minimizes damage to any other landscape elements including hardscapes and plants.

 

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Why Maintenance is Essential for Every Commercial Site

Waugh Chapel Towne Centre 5.14.14 - 3On a newly-completed job-site, everything is in the perfect condition. The buildings are gleaming, the lights are shining brightly and the landscaping is pristine. Unfortunately, it won’t stay that way for long. Some natural wear and tear is expected on any aspect of completed construction, but this is especially true for the landscape portion.

If you think about it, most of what is installed are living things, plants, trees, shrubs, turf, etc. If these elements are healthy, that means they are going to grow. As things grow, you can say goodbye to your property’s curb appeal. Inevitably, maintenance will be required to keep your property and the landscaping in prime condition. This is why it is important to hire a commercial landscape maintenance company to manage the landscape elements on your property. An inclusive maintenance program can keep your property in the best possible shape by providing the following services.

  • Mulching: Mulch is a key element in your landscape design. Not only does fresh mulch increase the curb appeal of your design, but it also helps keep the area weed free and drought-resistant. There are several different types of mulch, but your landscape company can recommend what is best for your site’s needs.
  • Colorscaping: Seasonal flowers can be installed to set your site apart from others. The color that is brought by these flowers provides an element of style and appeal to your property. Since different plants have specific growing requirements and seasons, experts can determine what plants are ideal for your site’s environment and when they should be planted.
  • Turf Care: A good maintenance plan will provide edging, mowing, fertilization and weed/pest control. These services will keep your grass healthy and looking great.
  • Irrigation: Whether you have an irrigation system installed on the property or it requires a custom watering plan, your maintenance package should provide for that. If your site has an irrigation system, maintenance crews can manage your system to keep it working at its highest efficiency. If your site requires other types of watering, maintenance companies can provide a strategic plan to ensure all elements are watered properly.
 
Childs Landscape Contractors Inc.
Phone: 410-974-0528
Email: greeninfo@childslandscape.com
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