DLA Q&A: Eli Pickel
Downtown Lincoln's landscapes are in good hands.
Meet Eli Pickel, the Downtown Lincoln Association's new Irrigation and Horticultural Systems Manager.
After starting as an intern and working his way up through the organization as a Crew Leader and Arborist, Eli is bringing his experience and passion for plants to this new role. We caught up with him to learn more about his background, what his day-to-day work looks like, and what he's most excited to accomplish as he helps keep downtown Lincoln vibrant and thriving.
Q: Can you introduce yourself and share your new role?
A: My name is Eli Pickel, and I'll be stepping into the role of Irrigation and Horticultural Systems Manager. I started with the Downtown Lincoln Association as an intern, later became a Crew Leader/Arborist, and now I'm excited to take on this new position.
Q: What does an Irrigation and Horticultural Systems Manager do?
A: Every day is different. I help manage our daily operations by coordinating crews, overseeing irrigation systems, troubleshooting issues, and working closely with both the Downtown Lincoln Association and the City of Lincoln. We also design and install seasonal planting projects, manage tree care initiatives, and support whatever needs to happen to keep Downtown looking its best.
Q: Who decides what gets planted Downtown?
A: Brian and I work together on plant selection and bed design. Brian has years of experience, and he's great about encouraging new ideas while helping me learn what works best. We'll collaborate on designs, with Brian providing guidance and final approval.
Q: Is there a project you're especially excited about?
A: One project I'm really looking forward to is simplifying our irrigation systems. Right now, they're made up of many separate sections, and we're working toward creating a more connected and efficient system. Improving that infrastructure will make maintenance much easier in the future.
Q: Do you have a favorite flower bed Downtown?
A: Yes! My favorite is the bed near the LES substation in the Haymarket. I recently had the chance to spend more time there, and it's filled with beautiful yarrow and echinacea. It's a vibrant, full planting that really stands out.
Q: What are some of your favorite plants?
A: I'm a big fan of bright, colorful perennials like echinacea (coneflowers), yarrow, and sedum. They're interesting, beautiful, and add a lot of character to our landscapes.
Q: Will you be continuing Maintenance Mondays?
A: I'll definitely do my best! My style may be a little different, but I plan to keep the tradition going whenever I can. Some weeks get busy, but I know people enjoy the updates, and I'd like to continue sharing what we're working on Downtown.