Update: The Bolger Promenade and Bolger Family Reflecting Pool at Ca’ d’Zan

David F. Bolger’s daughter, TBF trustee Betsie Bolger, with friends and The Ringling’s Executive Director, Steven High, in the bell tower of Ca’ d’Zan, the venerable 1920s mansion built by John and Mable Ringling

The Bolger name is on prominent display at The Ringling in Sarasota, FL. During his lifetime, TBF founder David F. Bolger donated the Bolger Campiello, the Bolger Promenade, and the David F. Bolger Playspace. His children, Betsie, John, and JT, funded restoration of Ca’ d’Zan’s original swimming pool into the Bolger Family Reflecting Pool dedicated to longtime curator Ron McCarty and his 38 years of service to Ca’ d’Zan.

Like much of Sarasota’s coast, Ca’ d’Zan and its environs were severely damaged by back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Bolger Family Reflecting Pool was particularly vulnerable; its bright blue tiles that exactly duplicated the original lining had faded and were disintegrating. Replacements would have to be made, but that was neither quick nor easy. Luckily, the only issue further impacting the pool was the debris that filled it in the wake of the storms. Since then, new tiles have been laid and are in the process of being grouted.

The Bolger Family Reflecting Pool as viewed from the bell tower at Ca’ d’Zan

The David F. Bolger Playspace weathered the hurricanes well, while the Bolger Campiello came through virtually unscathed. However, the Bolger Promenade — a palm tree-lined bayfront walkway stretching from the edge of Ca’ d’Zan’s terrace to the property’s far edge — was severely impacted and is currently closed to the public.

Fifteen of the promenade’s stately mature palms were blown down by Helene’s and Milton’s gale force winds, while the walkway itself was undercut by storm surges. Furthermore, Milton knocked down and mangled the promenade’s lighting fixtures and tore up their wiring.

Meanwhile, the seawall was hit not only by the one-two punch of the two hurricanes but also literally by a rogue sailboat that broke loose from its mooring somewhere on the other side Sarasota Bay: Blown across the bay by Helene, it slammed into the promenade’s far end, then skidded along the seawall to the terrace of Ca’ d’Zan. Along the way, it mowed down the seawall’s bollards like so many concrete bowling pins and also damaged the edge of the terrace.

The good news is that given sufficient time and money, it can and will all be fixed and the Bolger Promenade restored to its former serene beauty.

Stevem High, Executive Director of The Ringling, surveys the damage to the Bolger Promenade caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton

Meanwhile, it’s all good over at the Bolger Family Reflecting Pool: New tiles have been made and installed; they are now in the process of being grouted. Their vivid blue matches and accentuates the background color of Ca’ d’Zan’s terra-cotta architectural accents and really makes the facade pop as one approaches the mansion.

“The Bolger Foundation appreciates The Ringling’s conscientious stewardship of my father’s legacy projects,” said Betsie Bolger. “Repairing all of the storm damage is a huge undertaking, but so worth it. Ca’ d’Zan is magical, and The Ringling is a unique civic asset for the city of Sarasota — truly a rare gem.”