Foster + Partners Proposes Cultural Park Transformation for Woodlawn Cemetery in West Palm Beach

Key Points

• Friends of Woodlawn unveiled a proposal to transform Woodlawn Cemetery into a cultural park in West Palm Beach.
• The master plan is being developed with Foster + Partners.
• The vision would turn the 17-acre historic cemetery into a landscaped public space for art, reflection, and community events.

What the Woodlawn plan includes

A proposal in West Palm Beach could transform the historic Woodlawn Cemetery into a cultural park designed to combine history, landscape, and public programming. The 17-acre site, founded in 1904 by Henry Flagler, sits along South Dixie Highway beside the Norton Museum of Art. The initiative is being led by Friends of Woodlawn, a nonprofit group focused on preserving the historic cemetery while reimagining how the space can serve the surrounding community. The concept introduces a “living park” approach that maintains the graves and historical legacy of the site while opening parts of the landscape to visitors. The goal is to restore the cemetery’s original garden-like character while allowing the space to function as a quiet urban green area.

What the design vision includes

The master plan is being created with Foster + Partners, the internationally recognized architecture firm founded by Norman Foster. The proposal centers on restoring the landscape and improving the experience of the grounds. Plans include redesigned pathways, expanded gardens, and the restoration of tree canopies to create a calm, reflective environment throughout the property. At the center of the proposal is a sweeping architectural trellis that would serve as a gathering space for small cultural events such as classical music performances, poetry readings, and community programs. The structure would sit within newly landscaped gardens designed to blend with the historic character of the cemetery.

What the project means for West Palm Beach

The proposal arrives during a period of significant investment reshaping West Palm Beach’s cultural and residential landscape. Major projects, including the redevelopment of CityPlace, the growth of the Nora District, and waterfront improvements at Currie Park, are redefining how public spaces integrate with urban development across the city. Reimagining Woodlawn as a cultural park would connect the cemetery more directly with the surrounding arts district anchored by the Norton Museum. The vision is to create a destination where landscape, architecture, and cultural programming intersect in one of South Florida’s fastest-growing cities. If approved, the project could introduce a new civic space that blends historic preservation with modern urban design while providing West Palm Beach with a unique cultural park experience.