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All Great Cities Have Great Parks

Jacksonville has a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to turn downtown city-owned property into an iconic riverfront for all.

We envision a connected network of extensive public green space and active parks along Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront that maximizes public access, reconnects the community to our river and creates a sense of place.

Provide a Gathering Place
for the Community

Stimulate Surrounding
Economic Development

Create a More
Resilient Downtown

Introducing…

RIVERFRONT PARKS NOW: Jacksonville’s Riverfront Opportunity

A 3-minute video highlighting collaboration, consensus and momentum

Who We Are

Riverfront Parks Now is a coalition of non-profit organizations who have come together to advocate for a connected network of parks and green spaces in downtown Jacksonville. We have worked with city leaders, the business community, and citizens across the city and we are heartened that there is momentum and consensus on the way forward. In 2022, funding was approved for major destination parks, the riverwalk extension, public marinas, and other important projects such as the restoration of McCoy’s and Hogan’s Creeks and the Emerald Trail.

“Parks are essential infrastructure for 21st century cities.”
— Catherin Nagel, Executive Director, City Parks Alliance

Keep Up To Date

Give Your Input on Shipyards Park Concepts!

March 23, 2023|

Agency Landscape has presented initial concepts for public review on the planned 10-12 acre Shipyards West Park, located at the mouth of Hogan's Creek across from Maxwell House Coffee. Your input is wanted! Here are ...

Engagement High for Riverfront 2025: A Look Ahead

March 7, 2023|

We were thrilled to see so much momentum and enthusiasm for our Downtown Riverfront at the recent Riverfront 2025 meeting at the Main Library. On February 8th, over 400 guests in-person and 100 guests online ...

Hope and excitement for the future of Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront

November 27, 2022|

This guest column was submitted by Riverfront Parks Now steering committee member Barbara Ketchum and reprinted here in it's entirety: Link to original article Opinion, Florida Times Union, October 2, 2022 * * * It ...

Support Documents

Riverfront Parks Now Presentation | download pdf
Economic Impact of Parks | download pdf
Mission Statement | download pdf
Riverfront Parks Create Healthy Cities | download pdf
Riverfront Parks Create Resilient Cities | download pdf
A Riverfront for All | download pdf

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riverfrontparksnow

9.11.01 is forever a fateful day in our collective

9.11.01 is forever a fateful day in our collective history. If you have a chance to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, it is hauntingly beautiful and experiential, a tribute to the power of public space design.

#neverforget

A new Mayor, a New Riverfront begins! Check out th

A new Mayor, a New Riverfront begins! Check out the July Newsletter, link in bio. #riverfrontforall

L.O.V.E. Fest on the Brooklyn riverwalk! A wonderf

L.O.V.E. Fest on the Brooklyn riverwalk! A wonderful way to gather and listen to music, have a bite and a drink, and enjoy our riverfront. Even a cool and dry June evening!
#dtjax
#riverfrontforall
#riverfrontparksnow
#loveislove
#ilovejax

Conceptual designs for Shipyards West Park are out

Conceptual designs for Shipyards West Park are out and we want your feedback! The first community meeting will be held March 14th on the Eastside. What do you want to see at Jacksonville’s newest park?

Thankful for this slice of the Northbank called Co

Thankful for this slice of the Northbank called Corkscrew Park. Well landscaped and taken care of by @dtjax and @jaxparkscoj.

Happy Thanksgiving!

#riverfrontforall
#dtjaxriverviews

We had an amazing time at yesterday’s Great Citi

We had an amazing time at yesterday’s Great Cities Symposium! We enjoyed hearing former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn discuss his time as mayor, and how the ability to leverage public/private partnerships for maximum investment transformed Tampa’s waterfront. A big thank you to Prattify for creating the video showcased at the symposium.
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#riverfrontparksnow #rpnjax #tampa #tampawaterfront #riverfront #parks #riverfrontpark #jacksonvillefl #jacksonvillefl #duval #florida #parklovers #nature #naturelovers #naturepics #naturegram #thelanding #naturelife #ilovejax #duval #dtjax #jacksonvilleriverfront #jacksonvilleriver #stjohnsriver #riverliving #riversideavondalepreservation #riversideavondale #emeraldtrailjax #emeraldtrail #jaxriverwalk #riversidejax

Barbara Ketchum's vision of a connected, unified d

Barbara Ketchum's vision of a connected, unified design for our riverfront has become one of our guiding principles. Check out her Guest Column in the Sunday Reason section of the Florida Times Union!
Link in bio.

#connected
#beautifulspaces
#downtownriverfront
#advocacymatters

Sneak peak at the testing of the fountain and ligh

Sneak peak at the testing of the fountain and light shows at Friendship Fountain.
Check it out! Stay tuned for updates.

#riverfrontforall
#lovelightshows
#wecandothisjax

The duPont Fund's Benchmarking Report includes 20

The duPont Fund's Benchmarking Report includes 20 cities who have made significant riverfront investments to transform their cities and attract people and businesses to their downtowns. ⠀
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Queens Quay is a 2-mile waterfront boulevard that has been reclaimed as a place for people, bikes, and transit. Running alongside the promenade is the Martin Goodman Trail—a safe place for cyclists and joggers.⠀
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Several cultural landmarks are located on Queens Quay, from the Toronto Music Garden to the Harbourfront Cultural Center. ⠀
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Toronto works with multiple artists to further activate the waterfront, with a year-long artists residency program. The display of public art extends onto the water itself with floating artwork.⠀
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Queens Quay puts a strong emphasis on small businesses and cultural programming. Should Jacksonville follow in Toronto’s footsteps, we too can have a waterfront that acknowledges the city’s long history while also stimulating economic development.⠀
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Photo Credit (in order):⠀
Toronto Waterfront Looking Southwest by lakerlkr8⠀
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Toronto Music Garden by Randy Landicho⠀
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Toronto's Music Garden by Maia C⠀
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Sherbourne Common fountains by Ashton Emanuel⠀
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Sherbourne Common, Toronto by BeyondDC⠀
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Riverfront Parks Now is excited to share the duPon

Riverfront Parks Now is excited to share the duPont Fund’s final recommendations for activating Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront! We are thankful to duPont and the DIA for all of their work and we are thrilled that the Mayor's budget includes funding to begin to realize this incredible vision of a Riverfront for All.⠀
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Jacksonville’s riverfront has the potential to be the city’s social, cultural, and economic spine, bringing the community together to play, learn, innovate, and celebrate. ⠀
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Beginning in April 2021 and including a public presentation in October 2021, the resulting Activation Plan is informed by hundreds of hours of conversation with thousands of Jaxsons, including three stakeholder groups representing nearly 50 community organizations, plus a community-wide survey that generated nearly 3,000 responses, neighborhood meetings and public forums.⠀
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Some report highlights include:⠀
Great public spaces can contribute to greater urban vibrancy and growth.⠀
An active riverfront provides healthy, recreational, cultural and social opportunities.⠀
Jaxsons want to see themselves enjoying the river through a variety of riverfront and water activities.⠀
Now is the time for Jacksonville to build an active, connected, and sustainable future for our riverfront.⠀
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This Waterfront Activation Plan is an important step for Jacksonville. The Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Downtown Investment Authority, the Parks Department and partners are collaborating to plan for real, actionable next steps for this work. We expect to see park construction and pilot activations and experiments on the riverfront soon.⠀
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Explore the report by clicking the link in our bio!⠀
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Everything Riverfront Parks Now does is because of

Everything Riverfront Parks Now does is because of our guiding principles:⠀
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Create an inviting and inclusive waterfront for all.⠀
Involve the public in creating a shared vision.⠀
Integrate resiliency and sustainable design.⠀
Use riverfront public spaces as a catalyst for economic development.⠀
Ensure a commitment to ongoing improvements and maintenance.⠀
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The time to act is now, and the opportunity cost of inaction is high. Let’s work together to keep Jacksonville resilient for years to come and improve quality of life for all.⠀
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Capital Follows People, People Follows Place, Plac

Capital Follows People, People Follows Place, Place Needs Investment.

Public spaces are a critical part of any citywide or regional economic development strategy. By developing the Jacksonville riverfront parks, we can attract investment and increase property values, thereby fostering economic prosperity.

📷: @flawsome_mobility

The St. Johns River Park is located on the Southba

The St. Johns River Park is located on the Southbank waterfront and is home to the Friendship Fountain. Currently undergoing renovations, the goal is to create a more vibrant year-round public space over the next two years.⠀
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Built around the theme Exploring the St. Johns River, plans are underway for a botanical garden, a themed play park, a splash pad, concessions and fountain upgrades. The node will tell the story of the indigenous Timucuan people, Ribault’s landing in 1562 and the Ft. Caroline settlement, and botanist and horticulturist John Bartram’s travels through Jacksonville.⠀
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📷: @chasayogi

⠀ We envision Jacksonville’s parks, cultural,

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We envision Jacksonville’s parks, cultural, and commercial spaces working together to create a riverfront for all.⠀
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The signature park – and unified network of parks and green spaces - will serve as a natural amenity not only to the public but to business, culture and events in the area. There will be zones along the waterfront for public space, cultural places, art, nature, play areas, watercraft, and event activities. ⠀
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Buildings will be set back from the river to allow for a continuous greenspace of varying sizes that will accommodate these activities. All structures will be designed as part of the walking experience at ground level. ⠀

For those looking to experience the St. Johns Rive

For those looking to experience the St. Johns River up close and personal, the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk have locations to launch kayaks from. What a great way to spend the day, kayaking along the river!

📷: @vitaminseaphotography1

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