Rolling Hills Community Park Overview
Seminole County, FL
GAI’s Community Solutions Group (CSG) is working with Seminole County and the community to transform the former Rolling Hills Golf Course into connected system of diverse park experiences. The 100-acre property dates back to 1925, but had become financially unsustainable and was purchased by Seminole County in 2019 following substantial community discussion and visioning led by the County Leisure Services (Parks) Department.
Building upon the community visioning process, CSG developed the Master Plan, and is continuing with Phase 1 implementation as Landscape Architect and Lead Designer. The design of this grand civic park takes inspiration from the great American parks of Frederick Law Olmsted. The parks are largely passive—with composed views, environmental restoration, and outdoor “rooms” that support different forms of physical “recreation” and emotional “re-creation,” as stated by Mr. Olmsted.
The current Phase 1 program includes an inclusive playground, tree canopy restoration, bicycle trailheads, pavilions, terrace gardens, inclusive playground, interpretive graphics, and opportunities to experience Lake Jeanette—all connected with a primary multi-use trail and secondary pathways. Through subsequent phases, the goal for the re-imagined Rolling Hills Park is to inclusively meet the needs of all people to reconnect to nature and to each other for generations to come.