Texas Department of Transportation’s U.S.Highway 59 Safety Rest Area between Linden and Atlanta is like a flower garden worthy of a tourist’s stop. The area is cared for by Gregory Greene with the help of assistant Gregory Kiefer. They are with E.Q.U.
Gregory Greene is the gardener and landscape specialist who creates this garden for the traveling public at the U. S. 59 rest stop between Atlanta and Linden. His employer is E.Q.U.I.P., a San Antonio company which provides job opportunities for people wi
Here is the restful view afforded travelers by the Texas Department of Transportation’s U. S. Highway 59 Safety Rest Area between Linden and Atlanta.
Grounds and physical facilities caretaker Gregory Kiefer is shown with the artistic wall inside a restroom he cares for at the U. S. Highway rest stop between Atlanta and Linden.
This is the monument at the center of the TxDOT rest stop on U. S. 59 which tells of the naming of Cass County. This plaque was created in 1971 by the state of Texas.
Taking care of the rest area flowers, grounds
Flowers are at the center of Cass County. Even in the latest 100-degree heat, drivers can pull over and find a cool bouquet of flowers at the Texas Department of Transportation’s U. S. Highway 59 Safety Rest Area between Linden and Atlanta.
The single-sided rest area is a most unusual one, and the experience of stopping here is pleasant. This is the only way to describe the welcomed pullover. Not a bit of neglect but an abundance of attention is found at this park.
First, one is completely under shade and parked close enough together to encourage a stretch or stroll. Then, up the nine steps to the reception area one will find a historic monument to read that tells of Cass County. One will be encouraged to stand straight and look out over a wood with picnic tables and stream of water.
Then, one can enter the restrooms and find interesting, colorful art on the wall. It is, as said, a pleasant experience. But it is the flowers and gardening that are most unique about the rest area.
Much of the flowering credit goes to employee Gregory Greene. He is the landscaper for the elegant park and does, indeed, have a green thumb for his work.
Greene is employed by E.Q.U.I.P. Enterprises, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, a company which has the maintenance contract for TxDOT’s roadside rest areas. The company’s website tells of its purpose that lends itself to work done by such employees as Greene.
A portion of the purpose reads as follows: “E.Q.U.I.P. is a turn-key, 24/7, 365-day service provider for commercial and government institutions, specializing in providing spotless, healthy environments for Safety Rest Areas and Travel Information Centers.
“Our goal is to help people realize their full potential as they make meaningful contributions to their communities through employment. E.Q.U.I.P. exists to support people with disabilities …and work closely with veterans.
“Since 2007, we have provided the opportunity to employ a social enterprise that provides cleaning and ground maintenance services. We are committed to providing job opportunities, job training, and job development for people with disabilities.”
Greene is quick to open his safety vest and show the pride he has in the company shirt he is wearing. It has the E.Q.U.I.P. company’s logo. He also wears a cap with the same logo. The logo also shows figures of individuals holding hands, one of whom is in a wheelchair.
“I’m proud to work for them,” Greene said, “And they tell us they are pleased with our work here. They come by when we don’t expect them, but they have little to say. I think they think this is one of their prettiest rest areas.”
Greene, a military veteran, has been a janitor here for more than five years. He is currently assisted by Gregory Kiefer who sees to it that the restrooms areas are sprayed and wiped down with anti-bacterial cleanser every 30 minutes. The outdoor trash cans are wiped regularly throughout the day. Any thrown trash is quickly removed.
“We want people to have the same opportunity to go to a clean restroom and be safe,” Green said.
And about that trash? “Oh, sure, some people throw out paper,” the two caretakers say, “We just pick it up. Better than to argue about it.”
Greene carefully prunes every bush and vine in the park and is glad for the warmer months that allow for his potato vines, purple plants and rose bushes to grow and flower. The roadside rest area is so colorful people will both make their photographs here and return to the park on another occasion. It gives a favorable impression of Texas and Cass County.