Scenic Jacksonville is excited to partner in Riverfront Parks Now, an initiative aimed at transforming the downtown Jacksonville riverfront into a gathering place for the community that stimulates surrounding economic development and makes our city more resilient for generations to come.

This initiative is being led by a group of non-profit civic leaders including representatives from the Late Bloomers Garden Club, the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Greenscape and the Garden Club of Jacksonville.  We seek to be inclusive and welcome involvement by individuals or organizations.

Mission  

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 that will:

  • Create opportunities for recreation and community engagement, improves wellness and public health.
  • Attract residents and businesses, spurs private investment and job growth, enhances property values.
  • Provide critical infrastructure to ensure resiliency for downtown

Here are two recent items from the Florida Times Union that further explain the initiative:

“Once in a lifetime opportunity to make Jacksonville’s riverfront parks great,” an Op Ed piece written by Riverfront Parks Now.

“Capitalize on a big opportunity for Jacksonville’s riverfront parks” from the Times Union Editorial Board.

Our working group has studied other cities and how they executed on visions that have resulted in impressive downtown destination parks and public spaces, with positive economic impact.  We have a presentation that is accessible via the website or we are happy to arrange a time to present to a group.

We seek to be inclusive and welcome participation from individuals and organizations, including the business community.

Sign up for updates via www.riverfrontparksnow.org, or contact Nancy Powell, nancy@scenicjax.org.

All great cities have great parks!