As two longtime city horticulture employees embark on their retirements, they leave a bounty of colorful blooms, green landscapes and trees in their wake. Horticulture and Forestry Manager Crystal Miles and Horticulture Field Supervisor John McDonald are both retiring this month, ending 40- and 36-year careers with the City of Lawrence. After decades of adding to the city’s landscapes, they hand over the care of more than 70 flowerbeds, 120 landscape areas and 34,000 street trees in the city right-of-way, plus additional trees on city and park property. Miles, who grew up on a farm near Lawrence and attended Lawrence schools, said she’d always enjoyed being outdoors and had an interest in natural resources. Eventually, that would lead her to her position with the city. “Being a farm kid, you’re outside a lot and it’s interesting to know your surroundings,” Miles said.
Source: LJWorld.com.
