Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales FL

For Bok Tower Gardens

A National Historic Landmark, Bok Tower Gardens is a meditative and immersive designed landscape in Lake Wales, Florida, set on a regional high point, framed by native longleaf pine sandhill. Through the collaborative work of Edward Bok, owner, and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. and William Lyman Phillips, Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects, these public gardens have evolved for a century from their 1922 origins to the present. Heritage Landscapes was commissioned to prepare a thorough Cultural Landscape Report with the objectives of:

  • Understand Bok and Olmsted documented design intentions and vision for the Gardens
  • Articulate and present the landscape historical evolution as a definitive reference
  • Determine the landscape contributing features for each character area and transitions
  • Document the existing landscape design character and qualities
  • Analyze integrity, continuity and change in the overall and each garden
  • Form a firm basis for informed decision making to shape the Gardens future
  • Integrate choreographic entry sequence to support lands protection
  • Shape a Gardens management plan articulating character, staff and skills
  • Provide clear direction for Olmstedian foused preservation treatment
  • Advance specific projects for phased implementation   

This CLR advances a comprehensive treatment of the history, evolution and future rehabilitation of the 33 acre Gardens; the 29 acre Entry sequence, and the intentional conservation and ongoing ecological restoration of the 40-acre Native Area framing the hilltop on sloping ground extending from the southeast to the northwest. The character of the Gardens and the Native Area has evolved away from the original design intent. The CLR provides detailed documentation to shift the future trajectory back to that historic intent while recognizing contemporary and future aspirations and issues aligned to the historic sanctuary purpose and Olmsted design, including climate resilience, staffing capabilities, finance and more.

WORKS:

Bok Olmsted Gardens & Native Areas Cultural Landscape Report & Management Plan, BTG Longleaf Pine Sandhill Ecosystem Restoration Construction Documents

TEAM:

Heritage Landscapes LLC, with The Natives for Longleaf Pine Sandhill Ecosystem expertise

QUOTES:

The Bok Olmsted Gardens and Native Areas CLR is an excellent step forward based on a deeply documented understanding of the past and the needs today.