Gotham Way Park landscaping ideas

Midday on Friday, Oct 26 I attended a Gotham Way Park meeting on site with some of our other committee members, a representative from Holder Construction Co and a couple of fellows representing Ruppert Nursery in Lilburn. Ruppert Nursery is installing the new WXIA landscaping and subsequently is installing the adjacent Gotham Way Park landscaping.
After our meeting, it occurred to me that I am concerned about planting large specimens, especially during a Level 4 drought. I would like to go on record as saying smaller trees take root and grow much more easily than larger ones, they require less water to get started, they cost less individually, and the little ones eventually catch up and then surpass the larger ones in size (it may take 6-10 years, but eventually they do) . However, they do not provide the "instant screening" like the larger ones do (unless they dry out in the drought and die, then they wouldnt provide any screening).
Further, I recommend that Rupert include native holly, native Southern magnolia, native Florida anisebush and other tough, broad-leaf, evergreen, native plants for the Gotham Way Park planting list.
An aside:
Daffodils are not native, but they are tough and squirrels and chipmunks don't eat them b/c they are poisonous. Envision a "host of golden daffodils" on the big hillside! It would look great after the steps or switchback path is in.