Transforming the Landscape:
Black Prong’s Summer and Fall Earthwork & Amphitheater Project
Beginning in the first half of August, Black Prong will embark on one of the most ambitious and exciting transformations in our resort’s history. Over the course of four months, our team will undertake a significant earth-moving and landscaping initiative designed to enhance the natural beauty of our property, improve sustainability, and expand the ways our guests can engage with the outdoors.
Retention Ponds: Designed with Nature in Mind
At the heart of this project are three new retention ponds that will be sculpted into the central, northern, and southern zones of our 90-acre resort. These ponds are not merely functional—they have been meticulously designed and approved by the Suwannee River Water Management District to serve ecological and aesthetic purposes.
- The North and Center Ponds will be wet ponds, featuring gentle slopes, aeration systems or water features that keep the water fresh, and lush native landscaping to support a wide range of Florida wildlife.
- These serene aquatic ecosystems will attract an abundance of local species including wood ducks, great blue herons, little blue herons, tree frogs, dragonflies, turtles, and butterflies. Over time, these ponds will become living showcases of the biodiversity that makes the Goethe State Forest such a treasure.


A Landscape in Motion: Where the Earth Moves with Purpose
Creating these ponds will require excavating approximately 40,000 cubic yards of soil—the equivalent of over 3,000 dump trucks. None of this material will go to waste. Instead, it will be strategically reused to shape and improve other parts of the property:
- A landscaped berm will be constructed along CR 337. Once planted with native vegetation, it will create a natural and attractive visual and sound barrier between the road and the resort.
- A portion of the soil will be used to create a terraced, natural seating area nestled into the forest landscape—a key feature of our new outdoor amphitheater area.
A Natural Amphitheater: Crafted Entirely by Landscape
One of the most exciting additions to Black Prong will be a completely natural amphitheater, formed exclusively through earth-moving and landscaping. Importantly, this feature involves no construction, no buildings, and no permanent structures of any kind. It is a landform—gently terraced into the existing topography using soil from the pond excavations—and will maintain the organic flow of the land and its surrounding ecosystem.

Above: Inspiration for our amphitheater—a gracefully curved landscape formed only by terracing and native groundcover.
The amphitheater will offer grassy terraces where guests can gather for music, storytelling, yoga, dance, lectures, and nature-based programming. Whether you’re seated on the lawn or lying under the trees, the experience will be one of total immersion in the forest setting. This amphitheater will be a celebration of land, not of built space.

Planting for the Future
To complement the new landscape features, the project will include planting native grasses, flowering perennials, longleaf pines, and shade-tolerant understory plants. These selections not only support wildlife but also reinforce soil health, erosion control, and long-term beauty in alignment with the local ecosystem.
What to Expect
This transformation will bring some temporary disruption. Guests visiting between mid-July and mid-November can expect to see earth-moving equipment and hear some construction-related noise during the day. Our team is committed to working efficiently and thoughtfully to minimize impact on the guest experience while we shape the future of the resort.
As this visionary project unfolds, we will share photos and updates. By early next year, the land will be ready to welcome performances, gatherings, and contemplative moments in spaces that feel as timeless and natural as the forest around them.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the reimagined Black Prong—where the land itself becomes the stage.
