Sanford, FL – May 31, 2016 – The Sweetwater Wetlands Park project, noted as the most significant integrated water resources project in the City of Gainesville’s history, was recently recognized by the City’s Beautification Board as the 2016 recipient of its prestigious Outstanding Environmental Award.
The 264-acre park is part of an ambitious plan to improve water quality in the Alachua Sink and restore more than 1,300 acres of wetlands in the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. The project includes construction of a 125-acre enhancement wetland designed to filter water in Sweetwater Branch, reduce nutrient loading, and then release clean water to Paynes Prairie. Not only does the wetland park provide water treatment, but it also provides protection for the Floridian Aquifer, develops an outstanding habitat for wildlife, and creates opportunities for public recreation, wildlife study and education.
Three miles of elevated walking trails wind through the constructed wetlands. Eight viewpoint structures with covered benches offer visitors a place to rest as they explore the park. A one-half mile boardwalk meanders through the wetlands and over habitat islands, and offers an opportunity to view wildlife up close. Interpretive signage along the boardwalk explains the park’s role in water quality treatment.
As Construction Manager, Wharton-Smith oversaw all efforts to construct the wetland including filling in two miles (over one million cubic yards of earthwork) of agricultural drainage canals to restore the natural sheetflow of water across the wetlands. The construction also excavated, reshaped, restored, and stabilized the site, building forty 50-acre wetland cells planted with specific vegetation to naturally remove nitrogen from the water as it filters through the soil. The project also included construction of a visitors and education center, public restrooms, natural trails, boardwalks, observation towers, ranger residence facilities, and associated site work.
The annual City Beautification Awards recognize and highlight projects of outstanding aesthetic and artistic appeal. Projects are evaluated for originality, innovation, and creativity, as well as for their sustainability, maintenance and use of serviceable materials. An award-winning site must exhibit appropriate land utilization, effective planning, and compatibility with the area.
