Pavilion Landscape Corporation has just completed the initial phase on a major project at Escala located in Rancho Mirage. This is a high-end residential development with homes in the million plus range. Pavilion Landscape is handling landscaping work for all streets, parkways, common areas and parks within the new development, as well as that for the individual units. Currently the development has an office area and three model homes which Pavilion landscaped. The development will eventually have fifty-eight homes.

Pavilion Landscape not only handled the landscaping of this brand new development, they also installed the irrigation system. The company installed approximately 3 miles of irrigation; that works out to 15,000 linear feet of pipe installed, along with Rainbird sprinklers and 80 valve stations. The company used 2 inch piping for the mainline and 1.5 inch for the drip system on the streets and median islands.

(Above) Pavilion Landscape Corporation using their Vermeer CX234 to prepare a hole for tree planting. (Right) The entry way to the sales office of the model complex in Rancho Mirage.

A partial view of the model complex under landscape construction work by Pavilion Landscape Corp.

Keeping in mind the desert climate, Pavilion Landscape also installed a variety of 175 trees that include African Sumac, Chilean Mesquite and Swanhill Fruitless Olive. The company also installed a native desert pallet of shrubs and Bougainvillea.     

Literally tons of inert materials were also used for a major portion of the project. Pavilion Landscape imported approximately 125 tons of Arizona River Rock. Fifty-five tons of boulders were installed with the rock ranging from 2 - 4 foot in diameter. All of the boulders were crane set per the designer’s plans. A flowing streambed runs throughout the development. For this portion of the project Pavilion Landscape imported approximately 300 tons of 3/8 inch- Desert Gold Decomposed Granite. The company trenched 2-2.5 feet for the streambed and then installed 2 inches of rock in the bed. The rock was then broom finished. For the final phase, Pavilion Landscape watered the entire streambed to ensure a solid compaction of all materials and to give it a perfect finished look.

In addition, Pavilion also installed fluorescent and halogen lighting for night time illumination of the palms and other trees in the development. The company installed some 300 fixtures throughout the development.

Pavilion Landscape has another major project currently underway at Campanile in Cathedral City. This is a “monster” project that will span over a 4 year period. When completed the development will include 350 units, streets, recreational facilities, pools, parks and tot lots. Much like the Escala project, Pavilion Landscape is handling all of the landscaping of the streets, parks and recreation areas, home models, as well as individual homes. The company is installing some 850 palms and assorted trees along with approximately 1,500 various shrubs. Approximately 600 tons of boulders will be installed, in addition to 2,000 tons of Desert Gold DG.

Pavilion Landscape has a solid inventory of equipment that includes (3) skid-steers, a Vermeer tractor, (2) Vermeer trenchers, and a Vermeer excavator. The company gets their Vermeer equipment from Vermeer in Fontana. “We have been dealing with Mike Salvaggio,” said Mark. “We have established a very good relationship.” 

Like many businesses one of the constant challenges Pavilion Landscape faces is the ability to manage growth and still maintain quality. “We want the company to continue to grow, but we must also maintain the high quality of work that we are known for,” Mark explained. “That is why we put the emphasis on maintaining strong employee relations. It is much simpler to train someone and keep them working for the company than it is to keep having to consistently hire new people and train them.” Even with such challenges Mark enjoys what he does. “What I like most about what we do is taking a strip of dirt and turning it into something beautiful,” said Mark. “I find that very gratifying.”

When Mark isn’t overseeing landscaping duties on multi-million dollar homes he enjoys auto racing. The Mark Bridges’ Motor Sports Company has a Super-stock Chevy Monte Carlo they run on a 1/2 mile track in Perris. “I come from Missouri and grew up racing cars around dirt tracks back home,” Bridges explained. When asked if he drove the team car himself, Mark chuckled and candidly replied, “We’ve got a company driver. I’m not that dumb.” In addition to the company’s stock car, Mark is also restoring a ’69 El Camino, a ’53 Chevy truck and a ’67 Chevelle Super Sport. “The El Camino is the model of car I drove when my wife and I were first dating in high school,” said Mark. “The truck once completed will be a company shop truck and the Chevelle will be Liz’s.” Bridges plans to take all three vehicles on the show circuit once restoration is completed. The cars will surely be award winning since Mark Bridges is no doubt paying as much attention to detail with them as Pavilion Landscape maintains on every project the company takes on. Cc