LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/289392
46 Landscape Architect and Specifier News The city of Kissimmee (pop. 59,682), just southeast of Orlando, is situated in central Florida on the northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga (Tohoe to locals). The name "Kissimmee" (kÉ™-SIM-ee) is most likely derivative of a Jororo Indian word. The Spanish place missions close to Jororo villages, and as far back as 1752 called the area "Cacema." Kissimmee has been working diligently for many years to renew its downtown. One of the most critical assets and challenges it has faced is the access and use of the Lake Tohopekaliga waterfront, and the link between that waterfront and potential infill/redevelopment. Unsuccessful attempts to address these issues have included proposals to convey a significant portion of the waterfront parkland to private development, and allow that development to back up to the lake, effectively reducing public access in exchange for economic development and improvement to the remaining park lands. In 2005, Glatting Jackson, now AECOM, was commissioned to develop a master plan for the park that could reconcile public access to the waterfront, the need for community events and economic development on several unusually shaped parcels of land between a CSX rail line (a class-1 railroad company based in Jacksonville with about 21,000 route miles), utility sites and several streets. In addition, the community wanted a park that "felt like Kissimmee," something with historic references, sustainable design, relevant recreational and community activity opportunities and a friendly sense of scale. The master plan for Kissimmee's new Lakefront Park achieves all these goals. The new park reconfigures Lakeshore Boulevard and Middle the largest of the park's picnic shelters (Poligon structures) is here at ruby Plaza, set between Lakeview drive and the lake. the shelters feature brick seat walls and column walls capped with concrete. the main shelter has a beautiful brick fireplace, mantle and hearth, the perfect spot for the city's "story readings by the fireplace." the fireplace is accessible from both sides of the shelter. Mounted on the shelter beams are 70-watt Elliptipar ceramic metal halide wash lights, which really dazzle at night. the fireplace is up lit with 15-watt Winscape hensley LEds (Winona Lighting), and down lit with 22-watt LEd monochromatic accent lights (hydrel, 4640 knuckle mount). the planting beds have purple Queen and society garlic. the tree is an Allee elm (at left). Below At the park's northwest corner is a redesigned plaza where resides the 50-ft. tall "Monument of states," an inspiration of dr. Charles Bressler-Pettis for the dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl harbor. dedicated March 28, 1943, the monument had 1,500 stones (from each of the 48 states) collected by the doctor and his wife mortared into concrete slabs, plus stones inscribed by 44 governors. it's reported Fdr sent a rock from hyde Park. More stones were added over the years, including ones from Alaska, hawaii and 21 countries. A concrete bald eagle and American flag top the pyramid, with "tourist Paradise" sculpted beneath a concrete planet Earth. the monument was refurbished after 9/11. in-grade 70-watt ceramic metal halide adjustable uplights (B-K Lighting) illuminate the curious historic piece. 44-51.indd 46 3/25/14 4:53 PM