Cascades Park
The new Cascades Park, in Tallahassee, Fla., was conceived with the intent to relieve flooding downtown and create recreational opportunities in proximity to the capital. Local leaders also wanted to commemorate the site?s history and geographical significance.
Before design of Cascades Park could proceed however, the contaminated soils from previous industrial uses had to be removed. The former site of a coal-gasification facility, the area was designated as an EPA Superfund site, and in 2005-2006 remediation of the site was completed.
Cascades Park was designed to drain an area of nearly 1,480 acres, providing nearly 100 acre feet of stormwater storage ? sufficient for a 100-year, eight-hour storm event.
Recreational and entertainment facilities include an amphitheater with more than 3,000 seating capacity, pedestrian bridges, the ?Discovery at Cascades? play area, an interactive water play area and 2.4 miles of paved trails.