Great Public Spaces: Memorial Park
Metro Jacksonville's Lauren Parker and Andrew Smith take a visit to a great Jacksonville public space that was designed by the famed Olmsted Brothers: Memorial Park.
In memory of the 1,200 Floridians who served and died in World War I, this park spans across 5.85 acres at 1620 Riverside Avenue. An ideal place to go for a bike ride or take your dog for a walk, the cool breeze of the St. Johns River offers a great sense of relaxation and meditation. This park was proposed by George Hardee in 1918 and a year later the land was purchased for $125,000. The Citizens Committee was formed by Hardee and included Ninah Cummer, Edith Gray and Mary Cline. After raising another $52,000, they commission Charles Adrian Pillars to build the sculpture Life and hired the famous Olmsted Brothers to design the park.
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In 1924 upon completion of the park, Life was erected. On Christmas Day the park and memorial were dedicated. What makes Life so iconic to Jacksonville is the not just the winged man who presents tribute to the fallen soldiers but the swirling bodies he stands on. Blending together within the bronze dome are several bodies that appear as if in movement and become one to show how the memories of the fallen will always live on. Within this dome is a parchment with a list of all 1,200 names of the Floridians who died. The paper was placed inside a lead box and then was placed inside a bronze box that resides within the statue.
Jacksonville Chapter, American Red Cross Motor Corps members act as chaperones to a group of young ladies who met in Riverside Memorial Park to go as guests to Camp Blanding dances for enlisted men in 1942. Courtesy of State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, https://floridamemory.com/items/show/152872
Article by Lauren Parker
Next Page: A Photographic Tour of Memorial Park
A Photographic Tour of Memorial Park
Memorial Park is open for reservations for events such as weddings and fundraisers and can be scheduled through the City Parks Department.
Memorial Park Corner Entrance
A Contemporary Tribute from 2011 For the Original Plan by the Olmsted Brothers
One of Two Eagles in Front of the Life Statue
Life by Charles Adrian Pillars
The Morning View of the St. Johns River
If You Have Pets, Bring Them!
When all else fails, you can always come by for a walk, or just enjoy the view.
And lastly:
Memorial Park is located in historic Five Points at 1620 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204.
For more information:
https://memparkjax.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MemPark_Final-Report_13_0320_reduced.pdf
https://memparkjax.org/about-us/memorial-park/
Photographs by Andrew Smith.