Jacksonville's Eight Oldest Parks
8. Memorial Park - 1919
Memorial Park is a 5.85-acre public park suituated on the St. Johns River and bounded by Riverside Avenue and Margaret Street. In 1918, shortly after the end of World War I, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville suggested building a park in honor of the 1,200 Floridians who died in the conflict, and the following year, the city acquired the land where the park currently sits. 31 civic groups assisted with the fundraising and planning of the park, which was designed by the renowned Olmstead Brothers.
Dedicated on Christmas Day 1924, the park features a large bronze sculpture known as "Life". The sculpture was created by Charles Adrian Pillars, who resided in the area for 26 years. There are also two 48" tall eagles, each sculpted in bronze, that were donated by the Memorial Park Association (MPA) and dedicated on May 29, 2011. Their design was based on photographs of concrete statues originally installed when the park was opened. The artist was local sculptor, Diane LaFond Insetta.
Memorial Park prior to World War II.(State Archives of Florida)
7. Fairfield Park - 1916
Former location of Fairfield Park
This 4-acre park stretched several blocks in the heart of Fairfield between Adams, Church, Weare and Victoria Streets. Fairfield, a suburb of Jacksonville, was incorporated as a town in 1880. It was the location of Jacksonville's fairgrounds, which was established in 1876. In 1887, Fairfield was annexed into Jacksonville with a population of 543. Several pedestrian promenades and a pond featuring an island and fountain, between Monroe and Duval Streets, served as the park's central feature. Fairfield Park was lost to the continued expansion of the Gator Bowl and the construction of Gator Bowl Boulevard.
Fairfield Park can be seen adjacent to the Gator Bowl in 1952. (State Archives of Florida)
1910s Sanborn map of Fairfield Park
6. Willowbranch Park - 1916
The 15.42-acre Willowbranch Park straddles the path of Willowbranch Creek in Riverside. Initial phases of the park's development were spearheaded by former City Councilman John J. Griffin. Additional acreage would be acquired southeast of Park Street between 1921 and 1925. Along with land, lots of landscaping materials would be acquired, with a generous donation of azaleas donated by Dr. Harold Hume. In 1930, the Willowbranch Library opened up in the park. Located at 2870 Sydney Street, it has remained known as one of the most picturesque parks.
5. East Jacksonville Park - 1910
Former site of East Jacksonville Park (Palm Square)
East Jacksonville Park was located in what is now considered the Stadium District. At one time, this section of downtown was a suburb of Jacksonville that was separated from the city by Hogans Creek. When it was annexed by Jacksonville in 1887, East Jacksonville's population had grown to 1,939.
In 1910, the park occupying a full city block was developed and bounded by Adams, Monroe, Van Buren and Georgia Streets. Also known as Palm Square, it included a water fountain as a central design element. Like most of the old community of East Jacksonville, it no longer exists today. During the 20th century, it became one of over 30 blocks leveled for the continuous expansion of the Sports District and its associated surface parking lots. Today, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville stand on the location of this early Jacksonville public space.
The sidewalks and mature landscape of East Jacksonville Park can be seen in the lower center of this 1952 aerial. (State Archives of Florida)
4. Confederate Park - 1907
Confederate Park is a 6.01-acre park between downtown and Springfield. It is part of a network of parks that parallel Hogans Creek. Containing the city's first playground, the space opened in 1907 as Dignan Park, in honor of the city's former chairman of the Board of Public Works, Peter Dignan. In 1914, the park hosted the annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans (UCV). An estimated 8,000 former Confederate soldiers attended the reunion. As a part of the festivities, the UCV selected the park as the location for a monument honoring the Women of the Southland. Later that year, the city changed the name of the public space from Dignan to Confederate Park.
Confederate Park during the 1920s. (State Archives of Florida)
3. Springfield Park - 1898
Now called Henry J. Klutho Park is an 18.34-acre public park, located between downtown and the historic neighborhood of Springfield. This park is part of a network of parks that parallel Hogan’s Creek, with Klutho Park being the largest. Most of this park was created and developed between 1899 and 1901. The property was land that was donated by the Springfield Company. It was home to the city’s first zoo, which opened up in 1914. Henry Klutho was a well-respected architect in the area—with many of his building gracing the high-rise downtown. He designed the Hogans Creek Improvement Project in 1929-30 an thus, the park was named in his honor.
Springfield Park in 1940. (State Archives of Florida)
2. Riverside Park - 1893
Riverside Park is an 11.5-acre public park located at the center of Riverside. It is the second oldest park in the city. The area was identified as a park when platting for the area known as Riverside began in 1869. It would take years for development to actually begin, though as the land had yet to be donated to the city. Finally, in the 1890s, a carriage lane and walking paths were added, stone bridges were constructed, and landscaping was put in. By 1907, it was known as one of the prettiest parks in the southern United States. Other improvements over the years included the construction of a tennis court, a band stand, and a Camilla garden.
Riverside Park in 1900. (State Archives of Florida)
1. Hemming Park - 1857
Hemming Park is a 1.5-acre public park located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. The park dates back to 1857 when it was established as a village green by Isaiah Hart. After Hart's death in 1861, the space was acquired by the city and renamed "City Park". A few years later, after the 1869 completion of the St. James Hotel, the space was renamed "St. James Park."
Hemming Park was Jacksonville’s first park and is now the oldest park in our city. Originally, this park was established as a village green in 1857 by Isaiah Hart. Unfortunately, Hart died less than 5 years after this, and the land was deeded to the city for a mere $10. They named it “City Park.”
In 1899, the park was dedicated to honor Civil War veteran Charles C. Hemming after he donated a 62-foot commemorative Confederate monument in the park. Through the 20th century, the park became a place for major events, speeches and protests in the city. Significant events at Hemming included speeches by John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson. It was also the epicenter of the 1960 race riot, Axe Handle Saturday. During the early 1980s, the city invested $650,000 to transform the green space into the brick-paved square that exists today.
The Public Square (Hemming Park) in 1864. (State Archives of Florida)
Article by Kristen Pickrell. Graphics and collection of historic photographs by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
Memorial Park is a 5.85-acre public park suituated on the St. Johns River and bounded by Riverside Avenue and Margaret Street. In 1918, shortly after the end of World War I, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville suggested building a park in honor of the 1,200 Floridians who died in the conflict, and the following year, the city acquired the land where the park currently sits. 31 civic groups assisted with the fundraising and planning of the park, which was designed by the renowned Olmstead Brothers.
Dedicated on Christmas Day 1924, the park features a large bronze sculpture known as "Life". The sculpture was created by Charles Adrian Pillars, who resided in the area for 26 years. There are also two 48" tall eagles, each sculpted in bronze, that were donated by the Memorial Park Association (MPA) and dedicated on May 29, 2011. Their design was based on photographs of concrete statues originally installed when the park was opened. The artist was local sculptor, Diane LaFond Insetta.
Memorial Park prior to World War II.(State Archives of Florida)
7. Fairfield Park - 1916
Former location of Fairfield Park
This 4-acre park stretched several blocks in the heart of Fairfield between Adams, Church, Weare and Victoria Streets. Fairfield, a suburb of Jacksonville, was incorporated as a town in 1880. It was the location of Jacksonville's fairgrounds, which was established in 1876. In 1887, Fairfield was annexed into Jacksonville with a population of 543. Several pedestrian promenades and a pond featuring an island and fountain, between Monroe and Duval Streets, served as the park's central feature. Fairfield Park was lost to the continued expansion of the Gator Bowl and the construction of Gator Bowl Boulevard.
Fairfield Park can be seen adjacent to the Gator Bowl in 1952. (State Archives of Florida)
1910s Sanborn map of Fairfield Park
6. Willowbranch Park - 1916
The 15.42-acre Willowbranch Park straddles the path of Willowbranch Creek in Riverside. Initial phases of the park's development were spearheaded by former City Councilman John J. Griffin. Additional acreage would be acquired southeast of Park Street between 1921 and 1925. Along with land, lots of landscaping materials would be acquired, with a generous donation of azaleas donated by Dr. Harold Hume. In 1930, the Willowbranch Library opened up in the park. Located at 2870 Sydney Street, it has remained known as one of the most picturesque parks.
5. East Jacksonville Park - 1910
Former site of East Jacksonville Park (Palm Square)East Jacksonville Park was located in what is now considered the Stadium District. At one time, this section of downtown was a suburb of Jacksonville that was separated from the city by Hogans Creek. When it was annexed by Jacksonville in 1887, East Jacksonville's population had grown to 1,939.
In 1910, the park occupying a full city block was developed and bounded by Adams, Monroe, Van Buren and Georgia Streets. Also known as Palm Square, it included a water fountain as a central design element. Like most of the old community of East Jacksonville, it no longer exists today. During the 20th century, it became one of over 30 blocks leveled for the continuous expansion of the Sports District and its associated surface parking lots. Today, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville stand on the location of this early Jacksonville public space.
The sidewalks and mature landscape of East Jacksonville Park can be seen in the lower center of this 1952 aerial. (State Archives of Florida)
4. Confederate Park - 1907
Confederate Park is a 6.01-acre park between downtown and Springfield. It is part of a network of parks that parallel Hogans Creek. Containing the city's first playground, the space opened in 1907 as Dignan Park, in honor of the city's former chairman of the Board of Public Works, Peter Dignan. In 1914, the park hosted the annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans (UCV). An estimated 8,000 former Confederate soldiers attended the reunion. As a part of the festivities, the UCV selected the park as the location for a monument honoring the Women of the Southland. Later that year, the city changed the name of the public space from Dignan to Confederate Park.
Confederate Park during the 1920s. (State Archives of Florida)
3. Springfield Park - 1898
Now called Henry J. Klutho Park is an 18.34-acre public park, located between downtown and the historic neighborhood of Springfield. This park is part of a network of parks that parallel Hogan’s Creek, with Klutho Park being the largest. Most of this park was created and developed between 1899 and 1901. The property was land that was donated by the Springfield Company. It was home to the city’s first zoo, which opened up in 1914. Henry Klutho was a well-respected architect in the area—with many of his building gracing the high-rise downtown. He designed the Hogans Creek Improvement Project in 1929-30 an thus, the park was named in his honor.
Springfield Park in 1940. (State Archives of Florida)
2. Riverside Park - 1893
Riverside Park is an 11.5-acre public park located at the center of Riverside. It is the second oldest park in the city. The area was identified as a park when platting for the area known as Riverside began in 1869. It would take years for development to actually begin, though as the land had yet to be donated to the city. Finally, in the 1890s, a carriage lane and walking paths were added, stone bridges were constructed, and landscaping was put in. By 1907, it was known as one of the prettiest parks in the southern United States. Other improvements over the years included the construction of a tennis court, a band stand, and a Camilla garden.
Riverside Park in 1900. (State Archives of Florida)
1. Hemming Park - 1857
Hemming Park is a 1.5-acre public park located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. The park dates back to 1857 when it was established as a village green by Isaiah Hart. After Hart's death in 1861, the space was acquired by the city and renamed "City Park". A few years later, after the 1869 completion of the St. James Hotel, the space was renamed "St. James Park."
Hemming Park was Jacksonville’s first park and is now the oldest park in our city. Originally, this park was established as a village green in 1857 by Isaiah Hart. Unfortunately, Hart died less than 5 years after this, and the land was deeded to the city for a mere $10. They named it “City Park.”
In 1899, the park was dedicated to honor Civil War veteran Charles C. Hemming after he donated a 62-foot commemorative Confederate monument in the park. Through the 20th century, the park became a place for major events, speeches and protests in the city. Significant events at Hemming included speeches by John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson. It was also the epicenter of the 1960 race riot, Axe Handle Saturday. During the early 1980s, the city invested $650,000 to transform the green space into the brick-paved square that exists today.
The Public Square (Hemming Park) in 1864. (State Archives of Florida)
Article by Kristen Pickrell. Graphics and collection of historic photographs by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com