Parks and public space projects are generally broken down into four categories: active parks, nature parks, trails, and cultural facilities and programs. In FY 2018 the Wild Spaces & Public Places program touched them all. Here are some of the highlights:
Active Parks
Installation of geothermal heating and cooling pump units at
Westside Pool
was completed, allowing the facility to stay open year-round.
Depot Park
saw new shade sails over the playground and a new connector trail to the overflow parking lot. Design began for additional park lighting, electrical upgrades along the promenade, and restriping of the auxiliary parking lot.
An open house and neighborhood workshop were held for
Kiwanis Girl Scout Park
(to be renamed
Oakview Park
). A site survey and professional design and engineering services began for proposed improvements which include renovation of the building, installation of a new playground, and construction of a creek crossing.
J.J. Finley Park
, a new neighborhood park, is in partnership with the School Board of Alachua County. A Joint Use Agreement was approved and plans include new playground equipment, picnic tables, and a new water fountain.
Field grading, new bases, home plate and pitching rubber were installed at
Lincoln Park
. Future plans include a new scoreboard, fencing, bleachers, dugouts, sidewalks, and computer-controlled field lights.
Two community meetings, a citizen survey, and an evaluation of on-site wetlands preceded the design and permitting process for
Northside Park
improvements. A multi-generational play area with table games and a patio will be constructed off of the Senior Recreation Center. Additional parking, a new walking trail, and drainage improvements at the disc golf course will also be built.
After years in the planning stages, conceptual designs for
Reserve Park
were completed and project permitting took place. This new neighborhood park will include playground equipment, a community garden, traveling rings, an obstacle course with fitness stations, picnic areas, and a memorial to Reserve Soldiers.
After
Fred Cone Park’s
track was resurfaced, the design, procurement, and permitting process began for shade structure installation at the spectators’ area and field drainage improvements.
Community meetings and a conceptual design were completed for
Green Acres Park
. Improvements to the park include a new playground, picnic pavilion, tables and benches, adult outdoor fitness equipment, and a sidewalk connecting the park amenities.
An open house, online survey, and focus groups were part of the planning process for the new
NE 31st Avenue Park
(to be renamed
Unity Park
). The park will be constructed approximately 200’ to the west of its current location and will have a picnic pavilion, a walking/exercise loop, modern playground equipment, a community garden, and new basketball courts.
After two open houses, an online survey, and focus group meetings, a final conceptual rendering for a new
Clarence R. Kelly Recreation Center
was created. Next steps include finalizing the project programming and operation partnerships, and hiring a design team to create construction documents.
Project planning and procurement took place to add lighting at the
Ironwood Golf Course
driving range which allows for extended play hours during winter months.
Nature Parks
Design, permitting, and procurement for a full boardwalk replacement at
Duval Park
was completed with construction scheduled for the spring of 2019. Duval Park boardwalks have been closed due to damage from Hurricane Irma.
Project design and permitting began for two observation towers at
Sweetwater Wetlands Park
. Construction will begin in 2019 to build the Prairie and Solar Towers.
Two open houses and focus groups were instrumental in the
park design standards and park signage studies
, which will assist with development of design standards for parks and public spaces and wayfinding, including a system of maps, signs, and amenity markers.
The City’s Arborist began working with the University of Florida to develop an
Urban Forestry Management Plan
, and an Urban Forest Ecological Analysis was completed.
Morningside Nature Center
added a young Jersey calf and future plans are underway to reconstruct the Timucua huts and replace fencing to support environmental programming.
Trails
Construction began on the
SW 47th Avenue Trail
and
SW 40th Boulevard Trail
projects. The paved multiuse trails will connect high-density residential areas to activity centers off of SW 34th Street.
The area for the
Sweetwater Recreational Trail
was surveyed and design is set to begin on a multiuse trail from Downtown/Depot Park to the intersection of SW 16th Avenue and Williston Road.
Conceptual design and planning began on the
Lincoln Yard Trail
after two community open houses were held to discuss what improvements citizens would like to see in this linear park.
Cultural Facilities and Programs
Design began on additional improvements to the
A. Quinn Jones Museum
. Upon completion, permits will be obtained to create an outdoor patio with tables, a sound system, landscaping, and a parking lot upgrade from gravel to asphalt.
The City is investigating potential cultural opportunities at the old
Fire Station #1
on South Main Street. Analysis is underway to better understand what improvements would be needed to transform the building from a fire station to a cultural site.
The
Hippodrome Theatre
, a city-owned building which was once the old post office, underwent a number of upgrades including improved ADA access and lighting, and replacing a 35-year-old HVAC unit.
