By invitation only

Norwalk Landscaper is part of unique team

Norwalk Hour Staff Reporter – Susan Shultz April 1, 2005

Local landscaper Jeff Duncan hit “spring break” in Florida last week. He stayed up all night, but it was not to join the party scene. Duncan was part of an elite group of landscape contractors chosen to create a deluxe water garden in the middle of Epcot Center.

Each year; Disney chooses 20 businesses throughout the US to complete various tasks at its several amusement parks. The businesses, according to Duncan, are chosen after careful consideration and the work is distributed by invitation only.

Duncan was chosen to participate as a result of his partnership with Aquascape Designs, a leader in water gardening and the local distributor Cooper’s in Danbury. Aquascape used its 13 most experienced clients to serve as a board to evaluate and “certify” potential pond installers. As a board member representing the entire Northeast, Duncan and 12 colleagues from around the country and Canada were called on to complete Disney’s task.

Creating a landscape, including an elaborate 6-foot high waterfall and pond would normally not be a challenge to Duncan and his experienced partners, however this particular assignment had some interesting obstacles because they could work on the 20 foot by 20 foot project only from midnight to 8 AM. While they were working, Duncan was able to watch the regeneration that Epcot Center goes through each night to prepare for the next day’s crowd. “It is amazing to see them transplanting, replanting and changing the park” Duncan said.

There were structural and design obstacles to be dealt with throughout each night, but on coincided with the onslaught of students on spring break. Duncan said with a laugh. “We had a tough time getting into restaurants to have dinner. We almost didn’t get hotel rooms either.”

Duncan’s company specializes in water gardens and feels they add a great value to the property as they are low maintenance with the Eco-System design. “I’ve been in business for 19 years and have been gardening since I was 13” he said.

To view Duncan’s work visit his site www.DWaterGardens.com or call him at (203) 849-1114.