GET INPUT, DESIGN,
BUILD, ENJOY
November 11, 2016
Some fifteen University of Florida Architecture students under the tutelage of Dr. Charlie Hailey, College of Design, Construction, and Planning professor, met with colleague Dr. Maria Sgambati, Cedar Key City Commissioner Sue Colson, and some fifteen residents in Cemetery Point Park this past Sunday, November 6. Enhancing the group and furthering the experience for his students, Hailey brought with him architect Phillip Tidwell from Helsinki, Finland, and architect Sami Rentala from Bodo, Norway.
At the suggestion of Dr. Sgambati, Dr. Hailey’s class recently finished redesigning and rebuilding the beach stairway on the south side of Seahorse Key, which was damaged by Hurricane Hermine, as part as of their coursework with Dr. Hailey’s Design / Build course.
In search for another design/build project in Cedar Key, Dr. Hailey again consulted with Dr Sgambati and, resultantly, brought his student group to Cemetery Point Park to hear about the park, its genesis, its meaning, its uses, and all other information relevant to the park’s meaning in the community.
On the beautiful 78-degree, sunny Sunday afternoon, and aided by the Daily Grind’s delicious coffee, scones, and cupcakes, Dr. Sgambati welcomed the group and explained the task at hand.
HISTORY REMEMBERED
Both John McPherson and Commissioner Sue Colson responded with some of the park’s history. McPherson explained that in the 1990s, the park land was proposed to be divided into lots for sale, but access was a problem; the only access was through the cemetery itself.
At the time, state funding was available. The Cedar Key-based Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy, under the direction of president and resident Dr. Earl Starnes, took the lead, and in concert with the city, developed the area into the park that it is now. Now the city owns and manages the property.
Just this past October 2016, the city received notice from the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection which issued to the City of Cedar Key its Notice of Limitation of Use/Site Dedication. The notice states that the real properties of City Park and Cemetery Point Park were acquired or developed with the assistance of the Florida Legislature, through the DEP, under the following programs: the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), shall be dedicated in perpetuity as an outdoor recreation site for the use and benefit of the general public. The dedications must be recorded in the public property records by the grantee.
Colson mentioned that at one time there was a trailer on the property and that the property, in fact, consists of the spoils from the dredging of the channels around the park.
CEMETERY TRUSTEES CONCERNS
Colson spoke about the Cemetery Committee which wanted a quiet contemplative park in keeping with the cemetery beside it. No bar-b-que pits and high energy, noisy activities were desired; picnics and exercise trails were considered.
Further, the Cemetery Trustees wanted no park access through the cemetery; thus the 1,500 foot boardwalk was created.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS USES
Community members talked of the park’s meaning and uses to them: Joe Hand bikes through the area and photographs birds; Milli Chappel exercises her dog and removes debris in the process; Bob Treat uses the park as a waypoint in his canoeing and rowing excursions; others walk quietly exercising and thinking. The group talked of things hey value there in the park: birds, gopher tortoises, season changes, native plants, shade trees, trails, fishing areas, and more.
DESIGN / BUILD
Dr. Hailey’s entourage listened carefully. Later, they will gather, debate, confer, create, design, and build what they believe will mirror the meaning of the park.
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