DCP Student Work Exhibited at Florida Community Design Center

January 14, 2004
The work of students from the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning is on display as part of the “Conservation and Recreation: Complements to Growth” exhibit now open at the Florida Community Design Center. The exhibit, which runs through Feb. 28, showcases a range of conservation and recreation projects in Alachua County, including the Lincoln Middle School/Williams Elementary School Park Project, the Ocala National Forest to Osceola National Forest Ecological Corridor Project and the Archer Community Center and Park Project.



Landscape architecture students designed the plans exhibited in the Lincoln Middle School/Williams Elementary School Park Project. Under the direction of professor Peggy Carr, students worked with the School Board of Alachua County, the City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department and residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the schools to design the recreational areas of each school in order to allow both school and public use of the property.



Another student project on display at the exhibit resulted in a total of 150,000 acres of land being placed on the Florida Forever “A” List. The Ocala National Forest to Osceola National Forest Ecological Corridor Project began with students in the departments of landscape architecture and urban and regional planning collaborating to analyze the suitability and feasibility of an ecological corridor between these two national forests. Their work resulted in the Camp Blanding to Osceola Florida Forever Project, which was place on the “A” List in December.



Another project, which was spearheaded by architecture professor Gary Ridgdill, adjunct professor Tom Smith and graduate architecture student Todd Gabbard, is a master plan for the development of a five-acre tract owned by the City of Archer. The Archer Community Center and Park Project includes a multipurpose community center, a public swimming pool facility, a walking/jogging path, a small children’s play area and a picnic facility.

The exhibit is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more information on the Florida Community Design Center.