Downtown Jacksonville’s Parks
Downtown Jacksonville is home to many beautiful parks and green spaces. From riverfront views, to historic landmarks, there is so much to explore in our parks, with many new plans on the horizon for even more activation of our outdoor spaces with art and programming.
Parks Managed by Downtown Vision
Downtown Vision partners with the City of Jacksonville to maintain public spaces and create a friendly and safe environment for visitors.
Corkscrew Park
Corkscrew Park features workout equipment and amenities including free weights, yoga mats, jump ropes and medicine balls. A sculpture combines art and exercise by including pull-up bars and exercise rings. There is also outdoor seating and access to public restrooms.
Staffed by Downtown Ambassadors Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Main Street Park
Main Street Park is newly renovated and open for public enjoyment. The park is open daily, with tables and chairs set up on weekdays for visitors to utilize to enjoy lunch in the sunshine. At night, string lights adorn the trees, making the whole square sparkle.
A Downtown Ambassador is stationed at Main Street park during peak hours to provide a safe and friendly experience.
James Weldon Johnson Park
James Weldon Johnson Park (formerly Hemming Park) is at the heart of #DTJax, in the center of iconic locatiosn such as City Hall, the Main Library, and MOCA Jacksonville. This 1.5-acre public square in the center of the city, is Jacksonville’s first and oldest park and the site of many significant historic events.
Recent improvements to the Park included two new performance stages; Charlie’s Cafe, an outdoor dining area; a Kids’ Zone with whimsical sculptural seating and turf play area; beautiful new landscaping; and several public art projects. The park is managed by Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park.
Park Schedule
Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Visit Charlie’s Cafe for food trucks daily and live music Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Additional programming on select Weekends.
What’s To Come in Downtown Parks
The St. Johns River Park & Friendship Fountain
St. Johns River Park, located on the Southbank waterfront between the Main Street and Acosta bridges and home to Friendship Fountain is undergoing a major transformation. Through careful curation, a more vibrant year-round public space will take shape over the next two years. Built around the theme Exploring the St. Johns River, plans for the Southbank’s iconic St. Johns River Park and Friendship Fountain call 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.
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park
As part of the development strategy for LaVilla, the current Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing park will be expanded and designed to celebrate James Weldon Johnson and the African-American experience. The park, which commemorates Johnson’s contributions to our nation, will invite people from all walks of life to honor this important Jacksonville native. The inspiration of the plan for the park begins with lifting upward. Historic maps and property lines of the parcel reveal new geometries in the present that are then rotated and angled to create movement within the landscape. The interplay between lifted lawn and the shotgun house placed on the parcel of the historic Johnson House articulates the past on an empty, grassy lot and creates a new resolution of singular space on the site.
JaxParks
For information on individual parks in Downtown Jacksonville, contact the City of Jacksonville’s JaxParks Department.
For General Information – (904) 630-2489
For Permits – Sandy Jones (904) 255-7930, jsandra@coj.net
