Recreation & Parks Projects

Jack Amyette Recreation Center

The all new Jack Amyette Recreation Center on South Drive re-opened to the public in February of 2023. The facility was closed since 2018 due to damage from Hurricane Florence. Repairs were made with federal grant funding and the City’s insurance settlement.  The original center, named after the first Jacksonville Recreation Director, Jack Amyette, opened to the public in 1960. The center has seen many changes and renovations over time, including the addition of a playground, basketball courts, and splash pad. 

Riverwalk Marina

Riverwalk Marina, located at the end of Kerr Street in downtown Jacksonville sits along the New River and provides water access to the public. The building, which was used until September 2018 for Recreation events and kayak rentals, was damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Florence. City Council agreed to demolish the building and replace it with green space and covered picnic area with restroom facilities. The marina also includes a newly built dock, gazebo and kayak launch for public use. Boat slips are  available for rent. Construction of the dock area was completed in fall of 2019. 

Richard Ray All America Park and the Commons Amphitheater

Construction on the amphitheater at Richard Ray All America Park was completed in fall of 2018. The Amphitheater, located adjacent to the park playground includes a 400-seat amphitheater, stage area, and water feature. The Gardens of the Americas is a walk through 7 horticultural regions of the US. New signage was installed in August of 2019 detailing information about these horticultural regions. Richard Ray also includes a playground, two picnic shelters and a Meditation Labyrinth.

Splash Pads

The City's first Splash Pad was opened in 2016 to the public and is located at the Jacksonville Amyette Recreation Center, 1825 South Drive. Construction on a Splash Pad at Northeast Creek Park, 910 Corbin Road is underway and expected to be completed in summer of 2018. Both Splash Pads are free and open to the public Memorial Day to Labor Day during regular parks hours as posted at each location.

Northeast Creek Park Playground and Water Access

Completed in July of 2019, the Northeast Creek Park playground is open to the public during regular park hours. The play area is located adjacent to the park's Splash pad which opened in summer of 2018. 

Completed in Fall of 2012, the Northeast Creek Park boat ramp is open for public use! The old ramp was damaged over time due to a series of weather events. The old ramp could accommodate one boat at a time, while the new ramp includes two boat launches and a rebuilt bulkhead to support the structure and surrounding land. North East Creek Park is located at 910 Corbin Road in Jacksonville.

Landscaping Improvements

The City of Jacksonville is working to make the City and cleaner and greener place to live, work and play. Jacksonville Recreation and Parks is 'stepping it up a notch' with their landscaping and horticultural improvements. Parks like North East Creek Park and Riverwalk Crossing Park bloom in many colors to the delight of pedestrians and passersby.

New River Revitalization and water access

The City Stormwater Division along with Citizens,  local groups, businesses, Regional and State organizations partnered in 2019 to build live oyster reefs along the shoreline of the New River. Live oyster clusters, or 'rings' were strategically placed to form reef marked with signage. This project, dubbed the "Oyster Highway Project" is one way the City is working to keep our river healthy and teeming with life for recreational and commercial fishermen.

What does this have to do with Jacksonville Parks? The main water access to the New River is located downtown at the Jacksonville Landing, one of three public boat access points in the City. The Jacksonville Landing offers two boat launch ramps, a fishing pier, kayak launch, ample parking, green space and restroom facilities.

An artificial reef like structure was built in 2014 along the shoreline of Wilson Bay by Wilson Bay Park in downtown Jacksonville. Rubble from the Old Buddy Phillips Bridge was used to build the structure, along with oysters used to infuse oxygen into the water. This structure encourages marine life to 'move in' and work to build and sustain a healthy marine environment. It was built to attract fish for local fishing along the edge of the water at Wilson Bay Park.

For more details on Recreation & Parks Projects, contact us at 910 938-5312.