LOCATION:
Rock Hill, SC
Building on the development of the Design Guides for York County’s Catawba Bend Preserve, Craig Gaulden Davis | PBK designed the first new facilities envisioned in the park’s long-term master plan. This phase included a formal park entrance, gatehouse, and comfort stations that establish the architectural character for future development while reflecting the site’s history as an experimental Loblolly Pine tree farm.
The new entrance features decorative fencing, stone piers, and landscape enhancements that create a welcoming arrival experience inspired by the park’s natural setting. A stone-and-wood gatehouse serves as the primary point of entry, providing efficient visitor services through a flexible lane configuration, accessible amenities, and staff support spaces.
Located near visitor parking and the lake, the comfort stations were designed as more than restroom facilities. Positioned as gathering spaces for visitors beginning or concluding their park experience, the buildings are connected by a covered breezeway and rain garden that link directly to nearby trailheads. Sustainable design strategies, including stormwater management, water collection systems, and natural daylighting, support the park’s commitment to environmental stewardship while enhancing the visitor experience.
