Blueprint for Fun
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It’s taken three-and-a-half years of construction, but the $30-million Cascades Park near downtown Tallahassee is set to open later this year. Many of us may have gotten a peek as we drove past some part of this stormwater-pond-disguisedas-a-public-park, but because it has been an active construction site for so long, few have been able to see all of the dozen-plus elements that comprise the 24-acre project. With a bird’s-eye map of the site and commentary from Blueprint 2000 Senior Planner Autumn Calder and Project Manager Gary Phillips, we’re giving you a little visual preview of what’s in store when the park is operational, and a few fun facts to impress your friends. // Rosanne
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Dunkelberger
There will be 1,500 green permanent seats in front of the amphitheater, and planners estimate another 2,500 hundred people can sit on the grassy hill behind them.
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The sabal palm is Florida’s state tree, and 142 of them are planted throughout the park. During major rain events, the area around the amphitheater is expected to flood. Based on historical information, designers estimate there would have been enough water to overflow the ponds just three times in the past 25 years.
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The park has 75 dedicated parking spaces. Another 7,000 spaces in state parking garages and lots are available nearby for special events on nights and weekends.
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The Lower Pond will normally be 8 to 10 feet deep. When filled with water, it will be 16 to 18 feet deep. About half of the water flowing into the Lower Pond is not visible but carried via huge underground box culverts.
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A portion of the Centennial Field historic wall was reconstructed along Monroe Street. Some of the limestone from the original wall was used in the back wall of the amphitheater. The original wall still stands along Bloxham Street.
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The city electric building was constructed in 1921 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Plans are to renovate the building for use as a restaurant/brewpub.
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The Imagination Fountain will feature 60 “dancing” water jets and misters designed for youngsters to have some wet fun. The water will be chlorinated to swimming pool standards.
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In addition to serving as a play space, the Cascades Fountain is also being programmed to present a seven-minute choreographed water, light and music show. Tunes with a Tallahassee connection are part of the show, and planners are still considering what the grand finale music should be.
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30 September–October 2013
tallahasseeMagazine.com
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Smokey Hollow Pond is on the site of the original Smokey Hollow, a predominately AfricanAmerican neighborhood declared “blighted” and demolished in the 1960s. A park celebrating the vibrancy of the area is located on Franklin Boulevard just north of the Apalachee Parkway overpass.
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The concrete multi-use trail is 12 feet wide and universally accessible. Bridges on either side of the amphitheater run due north/south and east/west and their trajectories cross at Florida’s meridian marker.
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The park is dog friendly, with strategically placed water bowls and pet waste disposal stations.
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Many municipal services in the late 19th- and early 20th-century were located in and around Cascades Park, including the electric plant, jail, waterworks, coal gasification plant, city dump, incinerator and landfill.
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Planners are looking for a sponsor for the History