We’re excited to share that our Silver Springs State Park Boardwalks and Pedestrian Bridge project with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) was recently recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida with the 2026 Outstanding Environmental Project award.
From the start, this project posed unique design challenges that required creative alternatives and even a first for the project team. Mead & Hunt partnered with FDOT and the FDEP to construct 1,300 feet of timber boardwalks and a timber bridge within the park. Much of this project took place within a historical archaeological site and cypress swamp, so construction access was limited and minimizing land disturbance was a driving factor during planning. Consequently, traditional construction methods were not feasible. In consideration of the park’s natural environment and its history, our team used a unique top-down construction approach, driving timber piles from atop the previously built section of boardwalk. Notably, this innovative method is believed to be a first for FDOT projects.
During construction, temporary mats shielded the haul routes and staging areas, and an archaeologist monitored every pile driven to identify potential artifacts. The trail alignment was walked and flagged by hand to honor the park’s delicate ecosystem. The team worked closely with park officials to identify which trees should stay to follow the park’s species priorities. Ultimately, the landscape determined the final alignment.
Most of the boardwalks, the bridge, and the trail were built from renewable pressure-treated timber with composite railings, complementing the park’s setting. With concerns about treated piles being so close to water that received an Outstanding Florida Waters designation, the team worked with FDOT to seal each pile in a polyurea coating to make sure no preservatives leach into the nearby Silver River.
Today, the improvements provide safe, connected access within the park while preserving its natural resources and history. This project exemplifies how infrastructure and environmental stewardship can work together to protect our natural spaces.
