Memorial Park (Jacksonville) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Memorial Park |
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| Type | Municipal (Parks & Recreation Department) |
| Location | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Area | 5.85 acres (2.37 ha) |
| Created | 1919 |
| Designer | Olmsted Brothers |
| Operated by | City of Jacksonville |
| Status | Open all year |
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Memorial Park
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| NRHP reference No. | 100001389 |
| Added to NRHP | October 25, 2017 |
Memorial Park is a beautiful public park in Jacksonville, Florida. It covers about 5.85-acre (23,700 m2) of land. You can find it right by the St. Johns River in a historic area called Riverside. This park is one of the oldest in Jacksonville. It was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. This means it's a very important historical place!
The Story of Memorial Park
Memorial Park sits on the north side of the St. Johns River. It is next to Riverside Avenue. After World War I ended, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville had a great idea. They wanted to build a park to honor the 1,200 people from Florida who died in the war. The city bought the land for the park the next year.
Many people in Jacksonville loved the park idea. Thirty-one different groups helped raise money and plan the park. The famous Olmsted Brothers firm was hired to design it. This firm also designed the Biltmore Estate and many National Parks. They worked with a local architect named Roy A. Benjamin.
The park features a special bronze sculpture called "Life." It was made by Charles Adrian Pillars. He lived in the First Coast area for over 25 years. Pillars also created two art pieces from Florida for the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.. The park was finished in 1924 and opened on Christmas Day. It quickly became a favorite spot in Riverside.
In 1986, the Memorial Park Association (MPA) was started by Anne Freeman. This group has worked for many years to keep the park beautiful. In 1997, strong winds knocked down many trees. But city workers and MPA volunteers worked together to fix the park.
The MPA also donated two large bronze eagle sculptures. They are 48 inches tall. These eagles were added to the park on May 29, 2011. Their design was based on old photos of concrete statues that were there when the park first opened. A local artist, Diane LaFond Insetta, sculpted them. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused a lot of flooding in the park. It also damaged the stone railing along the river wall. Efforts are ongoing to repair this damage.
What You Can Do at Memorial Park Today
Even though some trees were lost in the past, the area along the river is still very shady. It's a great place for many activities. People enjoy fishing, jogging, or pushing strollers. You can also just sit on a bench and read a book. It's a peaceful spot for everyone to enjoy.
