Prior to the completion of this project, public access to the cypress swamp is limited to a ½ mile boardwalk dating to the 1960’s. Before these improvements, there were no restrooms, and parking was limited to the US 41 right-of-way. A Miccosukee Tribe village is directly adjacent to the existing entry.
Solution: Our guiding principal in the design of these facilities is MINIMAL IMPACT. This idea must manifest itself not only aesthetically in the finished project but as importantly in the impact during construction. Where possible we eliminate mass, using columns instead of walls. Materials such as steel are used instead of concrete where possible and lateral forces are handled with diagonal braces instead of mass. Precast concrete panels and beams are used at the floor of the interpretive pavilion as protection from fire.
Nature will try to destroy what we build with fire and hurricanes. The site is only 8 miles from Florida Bay and well within the hurricane hazard wind zone. The marl prairie burns regularly in the dry winter season eliminating the ability to use combustible building materials within 6 feet of the top of grass.

RESILIENCE
Between wet and dry season the water level of the prairie can fluctuate by 4 feet or more. Though not tidal, the prairies are connected to the mangrove forest to the west and are susceptible to storm surge.
The structure is raised up on precast concrete pilings to avoid these changes in water level
Simple, rugged materials including galvanized steel structure, stainless steel guard rails and concrete withstand the harsh, salt environment.
Galvanized steel structure and roof are 100% recycled and the concrete is locally sourced.

Unlike the pressure-treated wood guardrails traditionally used in state parks, our stainless steel mesh rails disappear, allowing uninterrupted views of the prairie, especially for those who cannot stand.

SUSTAINABILITY
The marl prairie naturally burns often in the dry season.
We argued that the traditional pressure-treated wood boardwalk construction was not a good idea here. Not only does the PT wood burn easily, it discharges toxic fumes when it does burn. PT wood also continuously leaches chemicals into the water.

Our use of galvanized bar grating will not be affected by the fast-moving prairie fires, the material is 100% recycled and it allows daylight to pass through to the water and grass below.