Landscape consultant Barry Teague shows plaza design ideas for Holly Springs City Hall

Barry Teague, introduced to the council as the presenter for the Town Center landscape plan, showed a short video and images of landscaping used at his apartment and senior properties and described how similar elements could shape the plaza between the new city hall and the amphitheater.

Teague said large lawns and framed tree lines help attract residents to public spaces and support walkability. He pointed to courtyards, hornbeam trees to frame lawn areas, and designed drainage and soil compaction as essential to avoid puddling and reduce maintenance costs. “So you gotta get the right compaction, you gotta get the right dirt, and you gotta get the right sod, and the right drainage,” Teague said.

A presenter on the panel emphasized introducing native plants that bloom across seasons to reduce the need for herbicides and insecticides and to extend flowering from early spring into late fall. A council member noted the importance of landscaping as a signal of community upkeep, calling it “a welcome matter” that sets expectations before residents enter leasing or public buildings.

Teague used multiple completed projects to illustrate choices for lawn size, courtyard amenities, and tree species and said the goal for the Holly Springs plaza is a walkable, family-friendly space with parking behind buildings and the focal lawn visible from the city hall entrance. The presentation did not include a formal vote or funding details; it served as design guidance for the council and staff.

The council proceeded to the consent agenda and new business after the presentation.