Upcoming Meetings & Events Sept. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. Clarence R. Kelly Community Center improvements open house (2nd meeting) 1701 NE 8th Ave. Sept. 18, 1:30-2:30 p.m.  J.J. Finley Park ribbon-cutting ceremony 1912 NW 5th Ave. Sept. 26, 6-7:30 p.m. Springtree Park open house 2640 NW 39th Ave. Oct. 6, 4 p.m. Green Acres Park community celebration  643 SW 40th St. Nov. 10, 2 p.m. Duval Park ribbon-cutting ceremony  and ranger-led nature walk 520 NE 21st St.

Wild Spaces & Public Places recently oversaw the completion of several projects for the city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department. This newsletter highlights projects completed to date in 2019, projects currently in progress and work scheduled to begin construction within the calendar year. Also noted are upcoming public events and the community outreach and engagement efforts used to guide the planning decisions for the work being done. Projects funded by the Wild Spaces & Public Places half-cent sales tax are a result of the PRCA Vision 2020 Master Plan. The Master Plan was adopted by the City Commission in 2012 after over 1,700 citizens provided input. It identified gaps in amenities and in service levels throughout the city and provided a unified plan for the department. As part of each project’s implementation, the City Commission reviews and approves the scope of work and budget and receives periodic updates from staff. We hope you’ll view the photo albums and visit the parks and public spaces you'll be sure to enjoy.

Recently Completed Projects

Duval Park 520 NE 21st St. Located in east Gainesville's Duval neighborhood, visitors can once again stroll on the 1/2 mile walking loop winding among the wildlife and pine trees. 959 linear feet of the wooden boardwalks were replaced after being closed due to damage from Hurricane Irma. Approximate project cost: $369,000 Green Acres Park 643 SW 40th St. Positioned to protect part of the Hogtown Creek floodplain, trails pass through the park’s live oak hammock offering opportunities to enjoy nature. The park now has a new playground, community garden fence, public art, fitness stations and a central open field.  Approximate project cost: $238,000

J.J. Finley Park 1912 NW 5th Ave. A new neighborhood park, this project is in partnership with the School Board of Alachua County. Improvements include a new playground with outdoor musical instruments and climbing features, picnic tables and benches, striped basketball courts and painting the covered p avilion. Approximate project cost: $276,700 SW 47th Avenue and SW 40th Boulevard Trails SW 40th Blvd. to SW 34th St. This new nearly 1 mile long paved multi-use trail now connects high-density residential areas to activity centers off of SW 34th St. The trail is located on the north side of SW 47th Ave. and spans from SW 40th Blvd. to SW 34th St. Approximate project cost: $ 630,000

Fred Cone Park 2841 E. University Ave. The city's only lit, public multipurpose sports fields and rubberized track, the park now has shade structures over the bleachers. Measuring 125 feet long, 16 feet high and 21 feet wide, the canopy covers the length of the bleachers to shade up to 360 spectators. Approximate project cost: $75,275   Lincoln Park 924 SE 15th St. Shared with Lincoln Middle School, the ball field saw improvements of field grading, new bases, a pitching rubber, scoreboard, fencing, bleachers, dugouts, concrete pads and sidewalks, field lights and a solar powered irrigation timer. Approximate project cost: $68,400

Additional projects completed

Depot Park 874 SE 4th St. A pedestrian connection was constructed from the overflow parking lot to the park trail. Approximate project cost: $39,400 Barbara Higgins Park 1352 SE 2nd St. This neighborhood park has new a new grill, benches, signs, tables and fresh mulch for the playground. Approximate project cost: $9,200 Park design standards and park signage standards Design standards for parks and public spaces and wayfinding standards were developed, including a system of maps, signs and amenity markers. Approximate project cost: $107,000 The Hippodrome Theatre 25 SE 2nd Pl. The theatre has a new air conditioning system for the shop, ADA assistive listening devices and speaker system for the main stage, second floor interior lighting and updated exterior lighting. Approximate project cost: $74,800 Ironwood Golf Course 2100 NE 39th Ave. Lighting improvements were made on the driving range to allow extended hours of use during the winter months.  Approximate project cost: $99,500

Ongoing Projects

Currently under construction

Fred Cone Park 2841 E. University Ave. Drainage and turf improvements on the track infield are approximately 50% complete. Fred Cone Park is used for youth league sporting events and is the city's only lit, public multipurpose sports fields. After significant rain events, the field was holding water leaving it unplayable for multiple days. Closed while improvements take place, the field is anticipated to reopen in the fall.  Reserve Park 700 NE 11th St. Construction on the new neighborhood park is approximately 40% complete with the finish date anticipated in the winter of 2019. Reserve Park will be a city park honoring service members from all branches of the military and their families and will include modern play equipment for children, traveling rings, an obstacle course, a pavilion, picnic areas, a fenced community garden, and much more!

Scheduled to begin construction in 2019

Bo Diddley Plaza 111 E. University Ave. Brick pavers will be replaced in damaged areas of the plaza to improve accessibility. The Hartman House at Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park 1500 NW 45th Ave. The 1910 Hartman family house is scheduled to be renovated and transformed into a nature center. Northside Park 5701 NW 34th Blvd. Adjacent to the Senior Recreation Center, 40 parking spaces and a multi-generational playground are being added. Improvements include bocce ball, pickleball/tennis, pétanque, table tennis, checkers and chess, a patio, a pavilion with grills, shaded seating, a walking path and outdoor exercise equipment.  T.B. McPherson Park  1717 SE 15th St. The existing, cracked tennis courts will be removed, reconstructed and resurfaced. New nets, posts and perimeter fence will be installed. Oakview Park 810 NW 8th Ave. Formerly Kiwanis Girl Scout Park, renovations include updating the nearly 64-year-old building, a new modern playground, new plants, removing invasive species and adding parking. Unity Park 1710 NE 31st Ave. Formerly NE 31st Avenue Park, the park is c urrently located under high voltage transmission lines and will be relocated just west of the original site. Notable improvements include two new basketball courts, a community garden, modern playground equipment, a pavilion with grills, sidewalk games and a walking loop with exercise stations.   Lincoln/Williams Drainage 924 SE 15th St. Funding is being provided to address drainage concerns at Abraham Lincoln Middle School and Joseph Williams Elementary School sports fields. The soccer and recreation fields are open to the public when not in conflict with school activities.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is the core of our planning process, and we continue to reach out to residents to ensure their voices and ideas are heard. Wild Spaces & Public Places held a number of public meetings that were vital to the success of projects.  Clarence R. Kelly Community Center - July 8, 2019 1701 NE 8th Ave. Over 70 people attended the Clarence R. Kelly Community Center Neighborhood Workshop to discuss and weigh in on future improvements for the center. The planning process is in its beginning stages and we hope to retain strong community involvement going forward! For photos of the workshop, click here . Oakview Park - Jan. 9, 2019 810 NW 8th Ave. The Kiwanis Girl Scout Park renovation plan was presented to the neighboring community at its main building. Neighbors at the meeting gathered signatures for a petition to change the park’s name to Oakview Park. The renaming of Kiwanis Girl Scout Park to “Oakview Park” was an outcome of resident engagements. Unity Park - Feb. 19, 2019 1710 NE 31st Ave. More than 30 people attended the open house held at Upper Room Church. Residents were invited to ask questions as well as vote on their favorite playground equipment and sidewalk games. Staff provided the community with an update on the proposed amenities and project timeline. The renaming of NE 31st Ave. Park to “Unity Park” was an outcome of resident engagements.