Aquascape, Certified Aquascape Contractors Build Pond for NASCAR Great Richard Petty

Bruce Berry, Aquascape and several Certified Aquascape Contractors (CAC) worked together to build a pond for NASCAR legend Richard Petty at his home in North Carolina on May 2. Bruce Berry from My Pond Store, LLC in Reidsville, N.C., met Petty’s operations manager, Johnny Cline, at a home show and a week later, was on Petty’s schedule for a design consultation.  His portfolio, presentation, pond knowledge, and Certified Aquascape Contractor status won him the job.

“Richard and his wife, Linda, wanted a water feature around the pavilion for entertainment purposes,” Berry said. “His only other request was to make sure we didn’t harm his oak tree … he gave us full design privileges and loved what we discussed.”

The group installed a 13’ x 20’ pond with a 17’ stream and waterfall, with a negative edge and 7’ x 9’ lower bog. Berry incorporated some large boulders from the Petty farm into the design, along with 25 tons of stone and gravel from Greystone in Sequatchie, Tenn.

Berry couldn’t imagine a better job for Aquascape and a group of CACs to participate in, so he invited them to make the trek to Level Cross, N.C. Ed Beaulieu, VP of Field Research; J.R. Zibrun, Eastern Regional Sales Manager; Sean Bell, Territory Sales Manager; and Jim Wullschleger, Outside Training and Development were on hand for Aquascape at the build. Representatives from the following Certified Aquascape Contractor companies pitched in during the build: American Aquascapes, Burlington, N.C.; Stephen Senn Landscaping, Uwchland, Pa.; Pondtastic Water Gardens, Kissimmee, Fla.; Chris’ Watergardens, Homer, Ill.; Platinum Ponds, Greer, S.C.; Tranquil Waterscape Designs, Franklin, Tenn.; Mystic Falls Water Gardens and Nursery, Puyallup, Wash.; Pondscapes of Charlotte, Matthews, N.C.; and Virginia Water Gardens, Fredricksburg, Va. Pond Professors from Greensboro, N.C. and John’s Ponds from Fort White, Fla. were also at the build. 

“It’s the camaraderie of the CACs that makes our program so strong,” Beaulieu commented. “I don’t know of any other group that would drop what they’re doing in the middle of the busiest time of year and go to North Carolina to build a pond for free. It’s a great experience for everyone involved.”
Petty is quite happy with his decision to get a water garden.

“Now that it’s installed, Richard can’t stop talking about his water feature,” Berry says. “Every time I go to the Pettys’ house, Richard is telling me how much he is enjoying his pond and how he wishes he had taken the plunge sooner.”

For more information on Aquascape’s the Certified Aquascape Contractor Program, or any of Aquascape’s products or programs, log onto www.aquascapeinc.com or call 1-866-877-6637 (US) or 866-766-3426 (CAN).