Solary Park: A Model of Hurricane Resiliency in Park Design

At Dix.Hite + Partners, we believe that thoughtful landscape architecture can transform communities and enhance resiliency in the face of environmental challenges. Florida is well into the annual hurricane “season” (from roughly June – November) for 2024, and it’s during this time that we at Dix.Hite like to highlight some of the unique approaches to urban planning and park design that help public spaces in Florida literally “weather the storm.” Our work on Solary Park in Oviedo, Florida, exemplifies this philosophy, showcasing how innovative park design can create beautiful public spaces while serving as critical infrastructure during storms.

When designing Solary Park – there were a few key considerations that we kept in mind to ensure that the space would be resilient when tested.

Integrated Watershed Management

The considerations for Solary Park go well beyond the park’s traditional borders, embracing a holistic approach to watershed management by considering the park's role within the larger Sweetwater Creek watershed, which extends to Lake Jessup.

With the larger community in mind, we utilized a solution that enhances the resiliency of the entire area: the naturalization of Sweetwater Creek. What was once a utilitarian drainage ditch, we transformed into a more natural waterway, capable of efficiently managing water flow during heavy rain events while providing aesthetic and ecological benefits.

Sustainable Planting Strategies

Solary Park's landscape design prioritizes native plants adapted to local conditions, reducing the need for irrigation, and creating both soft and hard scapes that harmonize with the environment. Utilizing native plants not only conserves water but also enhances the park's ability to withstand both wet and dry periods.

Advanced Stormwater Solutions

Central to Solary Park's initial design were two interconnected ponds that serve both as attractive water features and crucial stormwater management components. Our team combined what was initially conceived as separate ponds into one central pond- significantly increasing the park's capacity to handle large volumes of water during extreme weather events and creating a central amenity for the park.

The pond incorporates carefully designed littoral shelves planted with native plants, which provide natural washout protection. These transitional zones along the water's edge not only create valuable wildlife habitat but also play a crucial role in preventing erosion during flood events. The robust root systems of these native plants, such as Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Bulrush (Scripus spp.), Duck Potato (Sagittaria lancifolia)  and Blue Flag (Iris virginica) keep old soil in place, mimicking the protective function of natural systems of Florida’s lakes and rivers. 

Resilience Through Thoughtful Design

The natural elements of Solary Park were not all that was designed with resiliency in mind - hardscape elements, including walkways, benches, and other structures, were selected and constructed to withstand flooding and high winds. This attention to detail proved invaluable during Hurricane Ian in 2022, when the park received an unprecedented 20 inches of rain in a 24-hour period.

The park's resilience was evident in its rapid recovery after Ian. As noted by Oviedo Public Works Director, Bobby Wyatt who commented that after the storm the park appeared as if it had simply been "washed off," requiring minimal cleanup and showcasing the effectiveness of its resilient design features.

Setting a New Standard

The success of Solary Park, particularly its resilience during Hurricane Ian and its ongoing role in community life, underscores the importance of integrated, resilient design in public spaces. By holistically addressing environmental, economic, and social factors, parks like Solary carry generational impact.