Town of Holly Springs

The Holly Springs Natural Play Area project is part of the broader redevelopment of the historic Sugg Farm property, serving a thriving community of more than 48,000 residents. Although Holly Springs is a smaller city, its development standards, bonding requirements, and approval processes mirror those of much larger municipalities. This project represents a highly collaborative effort across multiple municipal departments, design partners, and construction teams to deliver an accessible, nature-rich play environment that reflects the community’s values.

From the outset, the Town of Holly Springs emphasized the importance of accessibility, community connection, and environmental sensitivity. The play environment and trail systems were envisioned as universally accessible spaces that support people of all ages, abilities, and sensory needs.

To start, the Town and Bienenstock hosted a highly successful community “jamming session” that brought residents together to share ideas around nature connection, and child-led play—where every voice was equally heard. This collaborative session helped shape the overall direction of the playground design and sparked strong community excitement for the future of the space.

The resulting concept is an elegant, nature-based design that fits seamlessly within the larger Sugg Farm Park. It features distinct play zones positioned between a community garden on one side and a cross-country trail on the other. Working closely with Parks & Recreation team, the Landscape design team at Bienenstock developed a collection of play elements—including a double-barrel swing, climber, accessible play areas,  communal gathering areas, and a labyrinth—that encourage movement, creativity, and connection with the outdoors.

These areas are conceptually and physically connected through fully accessible pathways designed to the greatest extent possible.

Attention was also given to preserving the site’s successional tree growth. By thoughtfully integrating existing young tree stands into the design, the team minimized tree loss, avoided unnecessary soil import or removal, and reduced overall budget impact.

The project moved through a detailed municipal review cycle involving Development Services and the Parks Department. These processes—more complex and time-intensive than private-sector projects—guided the refinement of both the design and technical documentation. The team navigated grant funding timelines, multi-departmental coordination, and evolving site conditions with a responsive and collaborative approach.

Construction began following an extended approval period, with Bienenstock partner Davis Landscape Ltd. leading the build in North Carolina. Throughout construction, the design team and contractor worked closely to adapt to conditions on the ground, including parking realignments, cross-country trail adjustments, drainage considerations, and balancing cut-and-fill to eliminate unnecessary soil disposal or import.

The Holly Springs Natural Play space was completed in November 2025. This space will provide a meaningful, community-driven play experience that reflects the town’s commitment to nature, accessibility, and thoughtful recreational development. The project demonstrates how elegant design, careful coordination, and strong community engagement can come together to create a lasting public space that supports social, physical, creative, and playful engagement for all.