The city of Gainesville hosted a small ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 20 following more than $300,000 in renovations to Duval Nature Park.
The renovations to the neighborhood park began in February at a cost of $322,000, and were funded by the Wild Spaces and Public Places surtax
Located at 610 NE 24th St., renovations to the park include an ADA-accessible walking trail around the existing stormwater pond at the eastern end of the park, a new playground, new pedestrian entrance, a new grill and water fountain, updated signage throughout the park and an asphalt parking area.
Rachel Mandell, project manager, said reopening the park is a celebration of a transformative place and a community effort, and that it couldn’t have been done without input from the Duval community.
City Commissioner Bryan Eastman spoke briefly before the ribbon-cutting and called the park his favorite hidden gem in the city. He said he stumbled upon the park while trying to check off his bucket list of riding on every road within city limits.
“Using the same bike that rode here today,” Eastman said while pointing to his parked bicycle across from the podium. “I always cite this park as the number one reason why I do this is to find these cool, little hidden gems within the community.”
Eastman shared that when the Wild Spaces and Public Places program started, it helped renovate a neighborhood park like Duval in his neighborhood of Oak View.
Describing the origins of the park, Eastman said Duval started as a stormwater park that Gainesville Regional Utilities used to prevent flooding.
He then tanked voters for approving the Wild Spaces surtax, noting that it is taxpayers’ money that is being put back into the community.
“Having a park like this, the infrastructure of a playground, the ability to have it be accessible, does more than just make a pretty park within the area, it really changes the fabric of the community,” Eastman said.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: ‘Hidden gem’: City of Gainesville celebrates renovations to Duval Nature Park
Reporting by Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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