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Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Veterans Memorial Park inclusive playground and improvements

Press release from Alachua County

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In celebration of this year’s Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, Alachua County Parks and Open Space will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park (7400 SW 41st Place, Gainesville) to unveil a new inclusive playground and other major park enhancements.

The project involved careful renovations, including the removal of outdated park structures and landscaping, to make way for a modern, inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities. The park now also features the Gold Star Families Memorial, expanded entry and parking options, ADA-accessible sidewalks, and upgraded stormwater and utility systems, along with new lighting and temporary irrigation using reclaimed water.

The improvements were designed with future expansion in mind, accommodating potential additions such as a splash pad and more restrooms, with infrastructure capacity already in place.

“We’re thrilled to see years of planning and hard work come to life,” said Capital Projects Coordinator Ed Williams. “This new space honors families and enhances access for all, making Veterans Memorial Park more inclusive than ever.”

The project’s total cost, approximately $2.3 million, was funded by the voter-supported Wild Spaces Public Places surtax, impact fees, and a generous $25,000 contribution from Duke Energy.

  • I sure hope NONE of the current AC BOCC liberal pric*s will be there! What a worthless group of oxygen monkeys they are!

    Another taxpayer fund that needs to be cancelled if any of the current AC BOCC supports it!

    • Once again I will try to make this make sense, as so many do not speak liberal. The Americans with Disabilties Act was passed in 1990 by George Bush who was not a liberal. And while I support him, he was not able to come up with the full funding for it, so yes the AC BOCC Liberals that you mentioned found funding through the Wild Spaces Public Places program to upgrade the park and playground so uniquley abled children have a nice place where they can manuveer the sidewalks and play equipment no matter their political preference. It’s nice to see an investment in children and in the outdoors. Thank you AC BOCC “s. I appreciate you!

  • “This new space honors families and enhances access for all, making Veterans Memorial Park more inclusive than ever.”

    ‘Inclusive’? Why? Was it ‘exclusive’ before? Just another liberal buzz word to virtue signal it’s not a racist park.

    • As a liberal fluent in buzz words, I will translate for you: the playground equipment is better designed for all children including those with unique abilities and the sidewalks are ADA accesible. I’m not even sure a park can be rasict, I feel like they are all green spaces?

    • Inclusive in that children with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, now have a playground they can play in.

  • Still nothing to improve the roller rink area for Pickleball play. The rink and therefore the courts are abysmal.

  • Many people use the park daily to do walking exercises for health. The waking trail perimeter need to be improved. It’s a beautiful family oriented park.

  • The new parking lots take up an area where deer used to graze overnight. The whole thing was an unnecessary improvement.

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