Recreational Swim Pond Construction
In-depth information into this recreational swim pond construction by Earth Works, Aquascape Inc., and contractors from around the country. This event took place in St. Augustine, Florida as part of an annual Winter Seminar coordinated by Aquascape Inc for the purpose of advanced training for Certified Aquascape Contractors.
EVENT INFORMATION: TEAM Aquascape Event at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Directors’ Recreational Swim Pond Construction in St. Augustine, Florida
Wednesday, February 3rd – Friday, February 5th, 2021
Read Jason Duffney’s article on this recreational swim pond construction in the May/June 2021 issue of Pond Trade Magazine.
Brueggen Swim Pond 1 Year Anniversary of Installation
Jason Duffney met with Jenn and John Brueggen to get their thoughts after one year of their swim pond installation that was the featured build of the contractors in attendance at the 2021 Aquascape Inc. Winter Retreat.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Aquascape Recreation Swim Pond Construction Part 1
Behind the Scenes at the start of Earth Works of Jacksonville collaboration with Aquascape Inc. in the Aquascape Recreational Swim Pond for a Eastern Collard Lizard – Advanced CAC Build at the home of the St Augustine Alligator Farm Director John & his wife Biologist Jenn Brueggen’s home. John Brueggen discusses what they are hoping for and Earth Works team members Jason Duffney & Sean Duffney along with Michael Quatromoni discuss this event that will involve 100 Certified Aquascape Contractors participating here & at the Aquascape Pond and Fountainscape Build at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park with onsite participation & education with Greg Wittstock, The Pond Guy & Ed Beaulieu.
Aquascape Recreational Swim Pond Construction for a Eastern Collared Lizard Part 2
Ed Beaulieu, the Pond Professor, Jason Duffney, and Michael Quatromoni discuss progress and setbacks ahead of being joined by 100 Certified Aquascape Contractors participating here & at the Aquascape Pond and Fountainscape Build at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Behind the Scenes at Day 2 of Earth Works of Jacksonville collaboration with Aquascape Inc. in the Aquascape Recreation Pond for a Eastern Collard Lizard – Advanced CAC Build at the home of the St Augustine Alligator Farm Director John & his wife Biologist Jenn Brueggen’s home.
Sneak Peek Teaser into Part 3 of the Recreational Swim Pond Construction
Sneak peek into Part 3 in the video series about the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park Director John Brueggen’s swim pond build by Aquascape and Earth Works.
This is serious business folks!
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Aquascape Recreational Swim Pond Construction Part 3
Jason Duffney, Ed Beaulieu, and Chris Hansen are back for the third update on the swim pond install at John & Jen Brueggen’s home in Elkton, Florida near the St. Augustine Alligator Zoological Park where they will also be conducting an Aquascape contractor seminar Wednesday, February 3rd – Friday, February 5th, 2021.
St Augustine Alligator Farm Sneak Peek Part 1
Jason Duffney takes us behind the scenes with Director John Brueggen, and Aquascape Inc’s Pond Professor Ed Beaulieu, and Chris Hansen at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park prior to the Aquascape Inc pond construction and Certified Aquascape Contractors 2021 Winter Retreat. Part 1.
St Augustine Alligator Farm Sneak Peak Part 2
St Augustine Alligator Farm Director John Brueggen provides a behind the scenes sneak peek to Earth Works Jason Duffney and Aquascape Inc’s Pond Professor Ed Beaulieu, Chris Hansen and Travis prior to the new pond construction and the Certified Aquascape Contractors training sessions and Winter Retreat. Part 2.
St Augustine Alligator Farm Sneak Peek FINAL Part 3
Final Behind the Scenes Sneak Peek at the St Augustine Alligator Farm. Tune in to interesting stories from around the world along with specifics on requirements for healthy wildlife habitats and maintaining exotic species with Zoo Director John Brueggen and Ed Beaulieu as we prepare for the Aquascape Winter Retreat and build Feb 3-6, 2021.
Welcome Team Aquascape to the St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Jason Duffney, owner Earth Works of Jacksonville welcomes Team Aquascape to the St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park event and Winter Retreat! Wednesday, February 3-5, 2021!
Day One: Team Aquascape Collaboration at the Brueggen Recreational Swim Pond Construction!
Certified Aquascape Contractors from around the country converge on St. Augustine to build a swim pond for the director of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Commentary included from:
-John Brueggen the homeowner,
-Ed Beaulieu with Team Aquascape,
-Robyn Pekarek with http://www.poseidonaquaticdesigns.com,
-Briauna Gennaro| with EnviroScapes Property Specialists,
-Scott Anderson of http://www.scottadesign.com,
-Sean Frost of http://www.nhpond.com,
-Carl Petite of http://www.columbiawatergardens.com,
-Michael Quatromoni with http://www.Earthworksjax.com
-Sean Duffney with http://www.Earthworksjax.com
-Martin V Dimitrov of http://www.Atlanticponds.com.
collaborationnation
Final Day: Team Aquascape, St Augustine Recreational Swim Pond Construction
Final day of work for the Certified Aquascape Contractors in St. Augustine pond building at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park and Director Brueggen residence.
Commentary included with:
-Colleen Heitzler, President, Aquascape Inc.
-Kyle Brown, http://www.ModernConcepts937.com
-Estaban A. Perez, http://www.StephensLandscapingofClermont.com
-Joel Kaplan, http://www.theoasisponds.com
-Jerome Fischer, Alabama Aquascapes
-Dave DeGroot, http://www.Artisanwatergardens.com
-Greg Gill, http://www.eialandscape.com
-Steve Roth, http://www.triton-waterscapes.com
-Jeremy Vlcek, http://www.vlcekgardens.com
-John Griffith, http://www.ksponds.com
St. Augustine Recreational Swim Pond Reveal
Wrapping up collaboration with Aquascape Inc. for the Aquascape Recreation Pond Build at the home of the St Augustine Alligator Farm Director John Brueggen & his wife Biologist Jenn Brueggen’s home. John Brueggen discusses what they are hoping for and Jason Duffney and Greg Wittstock discuss the outcome of this recreational pond.
Fill ‘Er Up! Recreation Pond Final Details – Part 5
Bring in the reinforcements! The CACs are here for the regional build event to help with the process of finishing up the recreation pond for the Alligator Farm. John also takes me in to show me his Gila monsters and their habitat.
Replicating the Desert for a *GILA MONSTER POND* – Part 4
Bring in the reinforcements! The CACs are here for the regional build event to help with the process of finishing up the recreation pond for the Alligator Farm. John also takes me in to show me his Gila monsters and their habitat.
Answering Your Questions: Concrete or Rubber Liner? – Recreation Pond Part 3
I’m taking some time to answer some of the questions you have had about the recreation pond build. Specifically, the under liner drainage and the architecture of the wall.
Giving Life to a RECREATION POND – Part 2
Today is the day! We break ground in St. Augustine, FL on the recreation pond for the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. I’ll show you how important it is to get these recreation ponds designed and planned the right way!
Alligator Expert Gets a RECREATION POND – Part 1
I am so stoked to be in St. Augustine, Florida to design and build a restorative recreation pond for John Brueggen, director of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Today, John gives us a tour of the farm which is such an inspiration.
*POND BUILD* for Florida Alligator Farm (Rec Pond Revealed)
Chris leads Build-a-Pond-Day at the historic Alligator Farm and Zoological Park in St. Augustine, Florida! Newbie attendees knock this 8′ x 11′ pond out in one day. Later, Ed reveals the reptile rec pond from the advanced build!
Wetland Filter for Reptile REC POND – Part 5
Groundwork on the reptile rec pond for our advanced CAC build continues. Today the crew constructs the wetland filter and Ed shares tips for excavation and setting boulders.
Cypress Log Edge for Reptile REC POND – Part 4
Establishing different elevations and grade levels makes all the difference on a flat property like this. Ed and Chris carve in a massive cypress log as a unique edging element for the reptile rec pond.
Groundwater Solutions for Reptile REC POND – Part 3
Ed and Chris implement groundwater solutions and install a 4-inch drain tile so they can create a solid base for their liner. The rocking of the reptile rec pond is now underway!
Intake Bay for Reptile REC POND – Part 2
Ed the Pond Professor arrives at the job site and notices we’ll need to make adjustments to our intake bay. The reptile rec pond comes in at a 30,000 gph requiring 500 gallons of water storage.
Reptile REC POND Design for Collared Lizards – Part 1
Chris joins the Earth Works team down in Florida to collaborate on a recreation pond for eastern collared lizards! The 20′ x 25′ reptile rec pond will utilize a tile drainage system to combat hydrostatic pressure from the groundwater.
Earth Works is proud to have hosted the 2021 Aquascape Winter build with Greg Wittstock, founder of Aquascape for Certified Aquascape Contractors from around the country. Participating CAC’s include:
- Chris Pekarek | Poseidon’s Aquatic Designs
- Stan Lepkowski | Delaware Water Features
- Stan Lepkowski | Delaware Water Features
- Greg Gill | Eastern Iowa Landscape
- Bob Kerr | Gradex Company LLC
- Zak Kladden | Majestic Water Gardens
- Thomas Smith | Garden State Koi
- Tim Dille | Garden State Koi
- Enrique Gomez | Garden State Koi
- Jason Borawski | Liberty’s Pavers, Ponds, & Water Features
- Armando Amaya | Virginia Water Gardens
- Charlie Ross | Virginia Water Gardens
- Armando Amaya | Virginia Water Gardens
- Crystal Urquizu | Virginia Water Gardens
- Don | Virginia Water Gardens
- Allan Schule | Sound Shore Pond Inc.
- Bruno Maegerle | Pond Pros
- Chris Ostrander | Living Water Landscape Service
- Alex Oren | Landvista Aquascapes
- William Seeds III | Seeds of Nature Watergardens
- Brent Hullinger | The Pond Beyond, LLC
- Yogi Davis | Bear Stone & Aquatic Design
- John Griffith | Paradise Ponds
- Patrick Kirby | AquaReale
- Carl Petite | Columbia Water Gardens
- Brad Cheney | Nature’s Image Aquatic Design LLC
- Micah Miller | Easton Outdoors
- Frank Council | Easton Outdoors
- Evan Hamner | Easton Outdoors
- Rico Rosa Arce | Easton Outdoors
- Ethan Hammond | Amen Corner Ponds
- Jeremy Vlcek | Vlcek Gardens
- Jay McCormick | Aquatic Lifestyles LKC
- Zachary Medori | Turpin Design/Build
- Max Taylor | Turpin Design/Build
- Dave DeGroot | Artisan Water Gardens
- Martin V Dimitrov | Atlantic Ponds LLC
- Cody Gilstrap | River Rock Water Gardens
- Chris Sturdyvin | Chris’ Water Gardens
- Mark Carlson | Chris’ Water Gardens
- Franco Propato | Frank Propato Landscaping LLC
- Greg Falvo | We Build. LLC
- Sean Frost | Nature Scapes
- Bubba Hogan | Dreamscapes Landscaping
- Scott Anderson | Scott Anderson Design
- Brad Fontaine | Florida Custom Aquatic Services
- Adam Goit | Brookside Landscape and Design
- Nate Shirley | Brookside Landscape and Design
- Brad Fontaine | Florida Custom Aquatic Services
- Trevor Gibson | Florida Custom Aquatic Services
- John Underwood | The Pond Beyond
- Matt Berry | Nature Scapes
- Adam Klingenberg | Florida Custom Aquatic Services
- Beth Roth | Triton Waterscapes
- Kathy Rosen | Delco Ponds and Waterscapes
- Jeff Norman | Great Lakes Pondscapes
- Allison Norman | Great Lakes Pondscapes
- Gunther| Six Flags Nursery Supply LLC
- Stephen Perez | Stephens Landscaping of Clermont
- Brandon Grope | PondScape LLC
- Amanda Gunther | Six Flags Nursery Supply LLC
- Jay Duke | Rivercrest
- Greg Gill | Eastern Iowa Landscape
- Steve Roth | Triton Waterscapes
- Peter Donahue | GreenPete, LLC
- Brian Rosen | Delco Ponds and Waterscapes
- Aaron Cruz | Garden State Koi
- Baldo Bautista | Garden State Koi
- Kimberly Kontopodias | Across the Pond Aquascapes LLC
- Maggie Hutt | Across the Pond Aquascapes LLC
- April Dugan | April Dugan
- Melanie Norman | Great Lakes Pondscapes
- Brian Norman | Great Lakes Pondscapes
- Lisa Ballantine | Ballantine
- Ben Clark | Buddy’s Property Services, LLC
- Garrett Wurzbach | Aqua Escapes LLC
- Aaron Chico | Blue Lotus Waterscapes & Design
- Zachary Watson | Site Pros Landscaping, Inc.
- John Adams | Modern Design Aquascaping Inc.
- Alissa Wells | Site Pros Landscaping, Inc.
- Tim Wood | Aquatic Edge
- Cameron Perez | Stephens Landscaping of Clermont
- Tim Wood | Aquatic Edge
- Casey Perez | Stephen’s Landscaping
- Gabriel Botto | Island Aquascape Inc
- Brad Birch | BBs Aquatic Service LLC
- Robert Lofgran | Wasatch Ponds
- Andrew Starkey | Aloha Landscaping and Services
- Zoran | Zorancreative
- Jerome Fischer Alabama Aquascapes
- Kyle Brown | Modern Concepts Custom Outdoor Creations
- Garth Price | Modern Concepts
- Diana Cagle | Aqua Dreamscapes LLC
- Pheonix Singleton | Ceto Waterscapes
- Joel Lattimer | Lattimer Landscaping Inc
- Luke Lattimer | Lattimer Landscaping Inc
- William Adams | Lattimer Landscaping Inc
- George Ruiz | TAMPA BAY PONDS & ROCKS
- Carl Gennaro Jr | EnviroScapes Property Specialist, Inc
- Zachary Pascoe |EnviroScapes Property Specialist Inc
- Daniel Brown | EnviroScapes Property Specialist Inc
- George Ruiz | TAMPA BAY PONDS & ROCKS
- Agustin Rojas | TAMPA BAY PONDS & ROCKS
- Sean Kaplan | Oasis Ponds
- Joel Kaplan | Oasis Ponds
- Casey McKown | Red Fox Holdings, LLC
- Christopher | Leathernecklandscapingdesign@gmail.com
- Tony Burnett | PondScape LLC
- Robyn Pekarek | Poseidon’s Aquatic Designs
- Melissa Kerr | Gradex Company LLC
- Alicia Kladden | Majestic Water Gardens
- Jenny Borawski | Liberty’s Pavers, Ponds, & Water Features
- Net Ross | Virginia Water Gardens
- Becky Maegerle | Pond Pros
- Erin Maegerle | Pond Pros
- Molly Maegerle | Pond Pros
- Jenn Arias | Landvista Aquascapes
- Samantha Brown | Seeds of Nature Watergardens
- Michelle Petite | Columbia Water Gardens
- Charlie Carmichael | Easton Outdoors
- Sonny Harris | Easton Outdoors
- Jackie Sturdyvin | Chris’ Water Gardens
- Michelle Ostrander | Living water landscape service
- Briauna Gennaro| EnviroScapes Property Specialist Inc
DAY ONE: Team Aquascape Winter Retreat 2021
It was a great first-day kickoff at Earth Works of the Team Aquascape Winter Retreat-St Augustine Alligator Farm pond builds. Aquascape, Earth Works, and contractors from around the country had been preparing for months for this week’s activities. The amount of energy and associated expense for all in attendance during these difficult times deserves recognition and praise.
Wednesday night was the kickoff for the event at the Earth Works garden center with meet & greet opportunities and an hour-long Q&A before the group between Greg, Mark Fechtel, and Jason Duffney about the thirty-plus year success story of Earth Works and its role in providing a wide range of outdoor living services including Aquascape water features and its core state of the art technologies that take the stress and strain out of water feature maintenance while providing high performance and client satisfaction.
The Tribe as the Aquascape gaggle of pond diggers is known is welcoming to everyone with Greg setting the tone with an outreached hand for those he’s had relationships with for decades, as well as first-timers to this Team Aquascape event.
Over one hundred contractors attended including company owners, foremen, and reps that wear a myriad of other hats covering the wide range of duties achievers take on in building an idea into a successful business.
Greg espoused the benefits of sharing and learning from one another pointing out those members in attendance with five and ten plus years of experience with Aquascape. There are numerous Aquascape artists of the year and Jason Duffney is notably last year’s Aquascape Businessman of the Year. Greg encouraged tribe members to tap the knowledge base of those next to them as it is extensive among the tribe members in attendance.
The network of the Aquascape Tribe will doubtlessly strengthen this week. Aquascape contractors around the country will benefit as these technologies are installed at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park where thousands of guests pass through each year, and Zoo Director John Brueggen shares the success and potential of these applications with his international network of zoological society tribe members.
Plus, remember that for comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden and landscaping need contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online and at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.