Johnna Pinholster
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
A graduate of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College recently designed a section of Wild Adventures’ greenspace.
Jay Miller, who graduated from WGTC last spring, was the winner of a horticulture design contest sponsored by Wild Adventures and WGTC.
On Friday, Miller got his first look at the area located near the park’s concert area.
The space, filled with perennials and annuals, was planted by Monica Haynes, landscape supervisor.
Haynes, also a horticulture student at WGTC, approached Kerry Watts, program coordinator for the horticulture department, several months ago about a partnership between WGTC and Wild Adventures.
“I thought it was a great idea,” Watts said.
Watts said Haynes pitched the contest idea as a win for all levels of the community.
Students get a chance to see their work, Wild Adventures gets a beautiful greenspace, and with the incorporation of flora sold locally, people can see it and go pick it up at local nurseries, Watts said.
This, Haynes said, would give fresh eyes to the greenspace designs in the park.
Wild Adventures management chose Miller’s design as the winner.
“I love it,” Haynes said.
Haynes said Miller’s design used the space provided well, and he did not overpopulate the space with too many plants.
Five students competed in the contest. Both Haynes and Watts hope to continue the contest in the future and get more students involved.
Miller said it was neat to see his design come to life and said the contest was good life experience as the design aspect of horticulture is what appeals to him the most.
“Designing is what really interests me. It stimulates my brain,” Miller said.
A plaque bearing Miller’s name denotes the greenspace as his design. He also received a plaque and tickets to the park.
