Theme Construction at James F. Holland Park Playground
The recent updates at James F. Holland Park include new theme construction elements to match the property’s Bulow Plantation Sugar Mill theme. The nearby mill, left in ruins, was developed in 1821 by Major Charles Wilhelm Bulow and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The 26-acre Holland Park is in the heart of the City of Palm Coast and is well-known for its walking trail, sports courts, baseball fields, theme playground, and its beautiful local landscape. It is also home to the Palm Coast Historical Society headquarters. This latest phase is a $5.5 million addition and includes a splash pad, dog park, and shaded structures along with the theme construction upgrades.
Theme Design at the James F. Holland Park Playground
The theme design intent included renovating the two portal entries. Prior to theme work commencing, COST crews were responsible for demolition work on the existing portals. Once completed, a stone face plaster application along with decorative sculpting delivered a consistent finish from old to “new”. Field samples were a critical step to ensure the cut and stacked coquina rock was matched in shape and coloration. As visitors reach the playground, simulated rock escarpments create interesting grade changes and a rock wall provides a bridge opportunity and a slide to transition to the lower elevation. Additional theme plaster finishes that match the entry portals were also constructed on the playground features. A short distance from one portal, a serpentine theme seat wall was developed. This wall separates planters from nicely manicured lawn areas. Theme sculpting followed the structural wall and was finished to resemble the coquina entry portals. The theme work was completed over two phases.
BBI Construction Management was the construction manager and S&ME Architects was the designer of the Phase 2 project. COST was hired to perform shop drawings, engineering, models (initial phase), samples, theme rockwork, and theme plaster for two phases of work.