Sea Turtle Maze

Bird Island Park was created for the community to learn, play, and contemplate. Bobby Weed, the renowned champion golf course architect, designed the entire park. The turtle maze is a thoughtful addition which is an example of the echo system that surrounds Ponte Vedra, it is also an interactive art installation whether the visitors are in it or above it. The Sea Turtle Maze, gifted by the Gasper and Irene Lazzara Family Foundation, takes visitors on a whimsical walk that is more involved than the walking path around the pond. Each visitor can choose their unique path, winding their way to four beautifully crafted benches at the center sitting under trees. The welcomed addition of a maze is an unexpected nod to traditional landscape architecture, one which is often not introduced in American parks. The land art mimics the vibrations of the Ponte Vedra ecosystem in terms of horticulture and its aerial motif.

The decision to choose the local sea turtle for the design is a natural one both in the spirit of the Bird Island Park utilizing the local ecosystems and their playful, wonderous, calming qualities. They have often been associated with a tapestry of symbolism including ancient wisdom, balance, happiness, and patience. For centuries the sea turtle has inspired and captivated us in the same way hedge mazes entertained and exhilarated people since the Renaissance. The Sea Turtle Maze is a thoughtful addition to Bird Island Park that is meant to be enjoyed by generations for years to come