April 21- 2025 – Keep Brevard Beautiful’s (KBB) South Action Team presented the “We Noticed” Beautification Award to south Brevard’s latest renovated recreational area, a beautiful walking and biking path running from Lily Park to Melbourne Avenue in Indialantic along Riverside Drive.

This quaint park, named after Lily Givens for her perseverance in caring for the park in its infancy, received several awards, however Space Coast Surfrider Chapter and the Town of Indialantic wanted more for the residents. The all-volunteer group coordinated this undertaking by partnering with Florida Wildflower Foundation and Viva Florida Program.

The nationwide Ocean-Friendly Gardens project provided ideas to clean stormwater using nature-based solutions, inspiring the local chapter to invest in our area. Swales are common stormwater conveyance structures, however, the Surfrider chapter transformed it into a thriving haven for native plants and wildflowers.

Not only does this project clean water, but residents can see how to reduce sod footprints, restore habitats, and beautify with native species. This project is visually important for curb-appeal, but it also increases the carbon capture, reduces heat, and lowers lawn maintenance for the town. These methods easily inspire others to change behaviors and modify their own landscapes to become better environmental stewards.

The Town of Indialantic was delighted to have an option that stored stormwater aboveground to mitigate flooding in lower areas of the town while also improving water quality through natural processes.

With Surfrider volunteers in action, plants like coco plum, hibiscus, saltbush, Guiana plum, crabwood, Simpson stopper, muhley grass, swamp lily, elderberry and sea oxe eye daisy went into the swale in under four hours to beautify and clean the area. To accomplish this task financially, a matching grant was awarded by the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Another project is planned alongside Novo Nordisk Corporation volunteers later this month for the southern swale.

Attending the “We Noticed” presentation were Town of Indialantic’s Town Manager Mike Casey; KBB staff and South Action Team members; Garden Club By the Sea Members; Indialantic Sustainable Community and Resiliency Committee members; and members of the Space Coast Surfrider Chapter.

The South Action Team recognizes property- and business-owners throughout the southern part of Brevard County year-round for their efforts to beautify the area and environmentally improve their landscaping. The program has been in operation since the 1990’s and has recognized dozens of properties throughout the County.