Retaining wall restored at Hart Springs Park

By Mitchell Gentry

A new retaining wall around Hart Springs was built during the off season this past winter. The old wall, built in the late 1950s, more than fifty years ago, had deteriorated making it unsafe. The new wall, designed and installed to complement the appearance of the old one, was installed within six inches of the old wall. The material used was aluminum panels, but with a curvaceous twist. A concrete cap that softens its appearance makes it fit within our memories of the past. The use of concrete for a cap allowed gracefully winding curves to create a serpentine ribbon around, and up and down the springs.

The aluminum panels were previously purchased through a FRDAP (Florida Recreation and Development Assistance Program) grant awarded to Gilchrist County. Installation of the panels and concrete cap cost approximately $30,000.00. Additional improvements that included rebuilding the floating dock and placing it in the center of the springs, planting sod, and replacing five live oak trees (donated by Mac Johnson) completed the project. It took two and a half months to complete. Construction was done by: David Browning, Faye Harding, and David Grawcock (staff), Doug Cutsforth, Scotty Richardson, Joel Washnock, Harold Cryderman, Marty Harding, and Bill Moon (volunteers). Local sub-contractors were Timmy Williams, concrete finisher, and David Jones from the Michael Alexander Group. Mitchell Gentry, manager of Hart Springs, being a Certified General Contractor, served in that capacity. Future improvements include a retaining wall around the peninsula by the pedestrian bridge, and rebuilding the steps leading to it. A permit has been approved to dredge where soil has eroded into the springs and to build a platform dock reminiscent of the old one. You are invited to come see the improvements this summer!