Landscape Companies Gain Parking Option, Thanks to Forestry Resources

Wednesday September 6, 2006

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Landscape companies stuck without a place to park their equipment have a new alternative with Old 41 RV Storage.

Forestry Resources Landscape Supply company acquired 10 acres in 2005 to rent out space behind its storefront, where customers can purchase everything from shovels and mulch, to fertilizer.

At first, customers rented space for boat trailers and RVs. Making it accessible to landscape companies was the next logical step.

Bob Boyd, general manager, explained the difficulty small landscape companies have. Many businesses work out of an office, and paying for storefront to park their equipment can run up monthly business expenses quickly. Many who do have storefronts also are limited in what portion of the city they can park trailers and trucks for business purposes. The property must have the correct zoning. For those who have the ability to park their equipment at home, it works out great, but Boyd said zoning regulations and code enforcement bylaws limit that activity, too.

Some of their clients had no option but to park their vehicles illegally, and were issued code enforcement violations.

"It's convenient for them," Boyd said.

According to Jeff Grzesiak, area general manager, Old 41 RV Storage, is answering a need.

"Land costs and zoning regulations in our region have really put a squeeze on the contractor whose business growth demands more trucks and equipment, but have little options as to where to store them," Grzesiak said. "We're answering this need for our customers, and the reception so far has been outstanding, with more than 10 percent of the available spaces reserved on the first day the storage sites became available."

Space rental costs range from $185 to $250 a month and include a space approximately 12-foot by 40-foot and a place to dump all of their horticultural waste from jobs. In addition, storage containers for open items and tools such as mowers, spreaders and edgers can also be rented.

When a landscape company signs up for space, paying for a year in advance gets the company a cheaper rate, said Maria Edourd, a customer service worker.

Landscapers have access seven days a week, from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m., simply by swiping their driver's license at the gated storage facility. Landscape employees can park their cars at the site during the day, while on the job with their trucks and trailers. Then, when they are done for the day, they park their equipment trucks and head home in their cars.

Another convenience, Boyd said, which also inspired Old 41 RV Storage, was that if landscape businesses parked there, they'd buy there.

Indeed, North Star Landscaping and Maintenance, a Bonita company that uses the outdoor storage facility, enjoys the easy access to loading daily supplies at the storefront.

"Time is money and now my crews can start their day fully supplied and get a jump on the day," said North Star's Bob Paquette.

Forrestry Resources Landscape Supply's main form of business is mulch.

In 1983, Forestry Resources, Inc. was formed to combat the spread of melaleuca trees. The invasive trees were used in the 1920s by federal foresters to dry up the Everglades, but it backfired when the Australian tree adapted to its new environment, destroying thousands of acres of natural communities.

Forestry Resources ruled out commercial uses of the tree such as lumbar, paper and charcoal, but the company then found it could be used safely as mulch. Many people are allergic to the melaleuca blooms, but not the mulch.

Today, Forestry Resources manufactures and processes its own mulch, including almost 30 different products of mulches, barks, soil and stone in Fort Myers. During peak season, the company packs 50,000 bags per day. It has storefronts in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero and Bonita Springs. It will soon add stores in Lehigh Acres and Sarasota.

Storage rate schedule

Old 41 RV Storage rate schedule, prices per month. Discounts are available for yearly payments.

• Travel trailers, enclosed cargo trailers, car caddies: $80 (less than 30 feet) and $94 (30 feet and over)

• Motor homes, cars and trucks: $88 (less than 25 feet); $3.50 per foot (more than 25 feet); and $150 (wide body)

• Boats, under 8-foot beam: $90 (in/out) and $80 (dead)

• Pontoon, or over 8-foot beam: $110 (in/out) and $100 (dead)

• Oversized trailers: $110 and up

• Landscape equipment and trailers: $185 to $250

For more information on Forestry Resources Landscape Supply, visit its Web site at www.gomulch.com. To find out about rental space, stop by the store at 25211 Old 41 Road or call 444-3284.

© 2005 Bonita Daily News and The Banner. Published in Bonita Springs, Florida, USA by the E.W. Scripps Co.