Metropolitan Park (Jacksonville)

Infobox park
park=Metropolitan Park


caption=Metropolitan Park logo
type=Municipal (Parks & Recreation Department)
location=Jacksonville
coordinates=coord|30|19|11|N|81|38|19|W
size=23 acres (.2 km²) (.036 mi²)
opened=1984
operator=City of Jacksonville
annual visitors=1 million
status=Open all year

Metropolitan Park is a 23-acre, multi-purpose, family-orientated, urban waterfront park that is one of the focal points for Downtown Redevelopment. It is located along the beautiful St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville and is the First Coast's premier recreational facility, offering something for everyone. Whether you prefer a picnic while relaxing in the cool river breezes or listening to music at an outdoor concert, or experiencing new tastes, sights and sounds at one of the many festivals, Metropolitan Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities.

This unique outdoor venue has a capacity of 10,000 persons and is the home of many annual events including The Jacksonville Jazz Festival, World of Nations Celebration, Spring Music Festival, Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks on July 4th, Planetfest and many more. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performs there as have many nationally known entertainers including Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, James Taylor, Lonestar, Faith Hill, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Collective Soul, Train, Jackson Brown, Hootie and the Blowfish, Chaka Khan, Wynonna and The Beach Boys, to name a few.

Facilities available to the park include:
* 2,400 square-foot reversible stage
* Seating for any event under its large canopy
* Green Room & Production Office
* Dressing Room trailers
* Full boat docking facilities with 78 slips
* 6 Covered picnic shelters
* 43 Picnic tables
* 3 Permanent Restroom facilities and water fountains
* Children's Play Area
* 15 Grills
* 136 Benches
* 12 Bike racks
* 45 Trash receptacles
* Perimeter site fencing and security lighting

History

The park is located on what was once an urban landfill, supported by a concrete bulkhead. The land was purchased by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for $1,005,000 in May, 1972.

The first groundbreaking was presided over by Mayor Jake Godbold and Governor Bob Graham on December 8, 1982. The project was a joint venture of and underwritten by: the City of Jacksonville, U.S. Department of the Interior, State of Florida Department of Natural Resources, and the television station WJCT –TV (local public broadcasting system). The project was planned to be completed in two phases. The first phase included an exhibition mall for arts and crafts shows, a family picnic area, playground areas, and the focal point of the park – the Performance Pavilion. The first phase was completed in 1984 and construction cost just over $1 million. Metropolitan Park was the winner of the 1986 Governor’s Design Award.

On May 10, 1990, Mayor Tommy Hazouri presided over a groundbreaking for the second phase of the park. The $1,079,000 enhancement included paved walkways, lighting, landscaping, parking, and playground areas. The total cost of Metropolitan Park was $3.1 million.

The Catherine Street Fire Museum was moved to Metro Park property in 1993 and opened in 2001.

Construction began on Kids Kampus began March 8, 2000, and the facility, located beside Metro Park, opened March 6, 2001. [ [http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Recreation+and+Community+Programming/Recreation+Activities/Kids+Kampus/default.htm City of Jacksonville website: Kids Kampus] ]

References

External links

* [http://apps2.coj.net/parksinternet/parkdetails.asp?parkid=139 Kids Kampus web page]