BRADENTON, Fla. — Crews in Manatee County are wrapping up part of a beautification project in south Bradenton.

The median that lines El Conquistador Parkway is getting fresh grass and plants to enhance the area for drivers and people who live there.

There’s something so satisfying about freshly laid grass, it’s like connecting nature’s puzzle pieces to create a beautiful green space.

Joel Thomas, the head of median beautification installations for Manatee County, says connecting these squares connects medians like this with its surrounding community.

“We try to mimic some of the style of some of the houses or the businesses around,” Thomas said.

This is the 13th median in a two-and-a-half-year project that’s adding greener plant life to south Bradenton.

“We scrape it down, grade it properly, and then we install new irrigation, and whatever plants and trees that the landscape design calls for,” said Thomas.

The one Thomas is working on calls for grass and other native plants for our region.

Even in the summer heat, Manatee County crews are making sure this spot looks better than before.

“It makes a good first impression on Manatee County to see beautiful roadways as they come into the neighborhoods,” Thomas said.

According to Thomas, they’re using money from the southwest Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, fund to pay for the project and he says once they’re done here, they’ll move on to another median.

At the same time, they’ll take pride in the work they just accomplished in beautifying this portion of Manatee County.

“When you see what the median looks like before you start to when you finish, it’s definitely an improved product,” Thomas said.

And that’s as satisfying as connecting those final puzzle pieces together.

Thomas says he wants the public to get involved by giving their opinion on medians that could use some beautification.

He hopes that once this project is fully done, it might be able to expand to other parts of the county.