Landscape Architect Articles

LASN Stewardship January 200612-28-05 | News

Firm Helps Ill Children Play Better

The 30-foot-tall volcano mountain, visible in the background, was created by ValleyCrest using shotcrete. Florida Rock supplied all of the aggregate, concrete and sand. Johnson Bros. Construction poured the footers and parapet wall super structure. Challenger Industries Inc. supplied the artificial turf and installation of the course.

In 1986, Henri Lindworth founded Give Kids The World Village (GKTW), a non-profit resort that gives children with life-threatening illnesses a one-week vacation to central Florida and its many attractions at no cost.

The PBS&J Planning and Landscape Architecture Group helped to make the GKTW project even more special when they offered to create a dinosaur-themed miniature golf course called Marc?EUR??,,????'?????<

The dinosaurs found throughout the seven-hole course were created by Barry Kern of Kern Sculpture out of a stainless steel armature. High-density foam blocks were hand carved, then a final skin of fiberglass and colorized gelcoat was applied. Theme painting and final color is then the final coat.

Marc?EUR??,,????'?????<

Landscape Architects kept Marc?EUR??,,????'?????<

Children are referred to GKTW by more than 250 wish foundations and hospitals around the world. The organization has grown from serving 329 children in its first year to a 51-acre resort that can welcome 7,000 families per year.

The course is completely accessible for people of all abilities. Traditional miniature golf course hole obstacles and targets have been simplified to address the special needs of children who play the course. The holes on the course are longer than typical miniature golf courses so that entire families can be in a single area while having more personal interaction.

The putting green?EUR??,,????'?????<

A wide variety of lush, tropical plants and trees were installed including: pigmy date palms, queen palms, cypress, bamboo, purple trumpet and orchid trees. Adding to the jungle-like feel of the course are the shrubs which include: white bird of paradise, purple queen, mondo grass, star flower, Egyptian giant papyrus, and red orchid.

Further enhancing the seven-hole course are waterfalls, three dinosaurs that spout water, foggers, and two water curtains. A soundtrack playing jungle sounds and ?EUR??,,????'?????<
Landscape Architect Grant Smith had the unique challenge of designing water features for the course.

?EUR??,,????'?????<
For more information about Give Kids The World, visit www.gktw.org.