Barbara Bush Helps Make Brazos County and TexasMore Beautiful

By Mara Neville,
Keep America Beautiful National Staff

 Former First Lady Barbara Bush assumed a new role as "Master Gardener for a Day" last Nov. 7 1998, when she joined board members, staff and volunteers of Keep America Beautiful affiliate Keep Brazos Beautiful in Texas to ceremonially plant three trees located directly across from the newly dedicated George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Center on the campus of Texas A&M University. Shovel in hand, and surrounded by a small army of reporters, Secret Service agents, elected and university officials, Transportation Department personnel and invited guests, Mrs. Bush scooped soil onto the base of one of the trees and declared, "This is going to make Texas and the world more beautiful."

The "Barbara's Byway Beautification Project" is a massive undertaking. Up to 900 30-gallon crepe myrtles are being planted along a 1.2 mile-long corridor, stretching from Easterwood Airport in the College Station, branching out to encompass portions of Bryan, and terminating at George Bush Drive and the entrance to the Presidential Library. The young crepe myrtles, which are now 10 to 15 feet tall, are being planted in clusters of 20 trees, and will grow to a height of between 30 and 40 feet. The total cost for the project, including a two-year maintenance contract, is $340,000.

The project was a long-time dream of Keep Brazos Beautiful's former executive director, Diane Craig. "I've had this job 14 years," Diane said. "And every time I would fly in and out of College Station -- which is a lot -- I would be appalled at how bland and unappealing the landscape was for our residents and millions of visitors. The idea for this kind of project has been smoldering with the Keep Brazos Beautiful board for years, but with a budget of $85,000, we just didn't have the money to undertake anything on this scale."

 When the details of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Center were announced, however, "it seemed a prime opportunity for us to get involved," Diane explained. "We believed that we finally had the 'hook' we needed to drum up interest and support."

Brian Mannen, who joined the board of Keep Brazos Beautiful in May 1997 and was elected vice president in November 1997, "just hopped right on it," Diane laughed. Brian is the chairman and coordinator of "Barbara's Byway," and his connections proved to be invaluable in lining up project sponsors and funding. He made his first phone call to Barry B. Thompson, the current chancellor of The Texas A&M University System and past president of Tarleton State University when Brian was student there.

"Dr. Thompson expressed an interest in this project right from the start," Brian said. A meeting was then arranged with Diane, Brian and Keep Brazos Beautiful board president Dick Haddox. Texas A&M president, Dr. Ray Bowen, also attended "at the request of Dr. Thompson." Subsequent meetings were held with Tom Brymer, the assistant city manager of College Station (and a Keep Brazos Beautiful Board member), and Michael Conduff, the city manager of Bryan, followed by a formal presentation to both city councils by Keep Brazos Beautiful board members.

"After hearing the details of our proposal, the elected officials from both cities agreed that this area, because it was soon to be home to the George Bush Presidential Library and would be attracting even more visitors, needed a major facelift," Brian said.

As a result of Keep Brazos Beautiful's hard work, the cities of Bryan and College Station and Texas A&M University each agreed to donate $50,000, and The Texas A&M University System is providing $20,000. The project is being coordinated with the help of Maury Jacob, chief landscape architect for the Texas Department of Transportation ("and an old friend of Keep Brazos Beautiful," Diane said) and TxDOT district engineer Lonny Traweek. Through its "Landscape Cost-Share Program," TxDOT plans to match the $170,00 of public and university funding that has already been committed to "Barbara's Byway."

"The Highway Department has always been incredibly enthusiastic and cooperative, and they were doubly so on this project," Diane said. "We are thrilled at everything they've done to make it happen so quickly."

With most of the funding pieces in place, the next challenge was the guest of honor. "It sure would be nice to have Barbara Bush there," Brian recalls someone saying at a Keep Brazos Beautiful board meeting. Turns out it's a small world, even in Texas. As the director of research and marketing for the City of Bryan's compost facility, Brian worked on a youth education site project with a Texas A&M student who also happens to have been a student intern for former President Bush. "I got the name and phone number of Mrs. Bush's personal assistant, and I wrote her a letter on Sept. 9," Brian said. "Three weeks later, her assistant called me at home and said 'Mrs. Bush would be more than happy to participate.' I just couldn't' believe it."

The former First Lady's appearance at the Nov. 7 tree-planting dedication "was the icing on the cake," exclaimed Diane. "We were overwhelmed and delighted that Mrs. Bush would honor us by attending. She was so gracious and complimentary in her comments -- it was the highlight of the year!"

Sadie, a cocker spaniel and heir to the famous Millie, was at her mistress's side during the event. "Mrs. Bush's presence was so important to heighten awareness of this one event and of what Keep Brazos Beautiful and its partners are trying to achieve for these communities," Brian said.

Dick Haddox couldn't agree more. "Mrs. Bush told me that she and the President felt 'honored' that we asked her to dedicate such a nice project that will beautify the boulevards leading up to the Presidential Library," Dick said. "Bur Barbara Byway has also had a dynamic and unifying effect within our own communities. All of the governmental entities are excited about being part of it."

The Barbara's Byway Beautification Project is sure to solidify Brazos County's standing as the "Crepe Myrtle Capital of Texas."

"One reason we picked crepe myrtles is that you just can't kill 'em," Diane said. "They flourish in our salty soil, and once they are established, they are self-sufficient. The crepe myrtle's bark is nice in the winter, and the trees will bloom almost continuously from June through October with beautiful red and white flowers." The tree planting is scheduled to be completed this winter.

And Brian Mannen is still carefully guarding the handwritten note that he received from Mrs. Bush: "I am so thrilled about the Byway Beautification Project," she wrote. "Thank you for honoring us in this fashion."