Riverside Park (Jacksonville) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Riverside Park |
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Picture postcard of Riverside Park in the 1910s
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| Type | Municipal (Parks & Recreation Department) |
| Location | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Area | 11.4 acres (46,000 m2) |
| Created | 1890s |
| Operated by | City of Jacksonville |
| Status | Open all year |
Riverside Park is a public park that covers about 11.4-acre (46,000 m2) of land. It's located right in the middle of Riverside, which is one of the oldest neighborhoods close to downtown Jacksonville, Florida. This park is special because it's the second oldest park in the entire city!
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Park History: A Look Back
The idea for Riverside Park started way back in 1869. That's when the Riverside area was first planned out near the St. Johns River. The land chosen for the park was originally about 14 acres. It had two natural lakes that were fed by springs, and lots of different birds lived there.
Early Development and Growth
Even though the land was set aside early, the park didn't start to be built until after 1890. The land was given to the city, and then work began. People created paths for carriages and walking trails. They also built pretty stone bridges and planted decorative trees, like camphor trees.
By 1907, Riverside Park was known as one of the most beautiful parks in the southern United States. People even made postcards to show off its beauty! To make the park even more fun, tennis courts and a bandstand were added. This brought even more visitors to enjoy the park's natural features.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the park's size changed a bit. When Margaret Street was built, it cut off a small corner of the park. Also, a big highway called Interstate 95 used some land on the north side. These changes reduced the park to its current size of 11.4 acres.
Community Care and Improvements
In 1967, the Jacksonville Men’s Garden Club planted a lovely camellia garden in the park. Later, a group called Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) was formed in the 1970s. This group has done a lot to help improve the park over the years.
For example, in 1997, strong winds knocked down 52 trees in the park. City workers and volunteers from RAP worked together to clean up and restore the park. By 2012, even though some areas still needed more trees, the park offered many things for visitors. It had a basketball court, playground equipment for kids, picnic tables, benches, and its two beautiful lakes.
