An Update on Springfields parks.

The plans for an upgraded Liberty Street Park have hit
a temporary snag. The bidding for the work on Liberty came
back with a higher price tag than anticipated. Oakland Park, on
Union St. was bid at the same time and also came back with a
higher price tag, which is most likely due to the recent surge in
oil and concrete prices. Parks and Recreation have now gone
back to Jacksonville City Councilwoman Pat Lockett-Felder
and asked her if she would be willing to increase funding for
both parks. This, unfortunately, means the Liberty Street Park
construction has been delayed, and rather than seeing
completion at the end of September, as previously expected, it
will be much closer to December.

Members of the SPAR Parks Task Force met with Park
Maintenance Chief Lorenzo Williams a few weeks ago and
expressed some community concerns over various issues
throughout the Hogan's Creek park system. Mr. Williams
seemed very receptive to many of the ideas presented.
Hopefully this will translate into some action items for our
parks.

The Parks Task Force has also been meeting with
various environmental and health groups to determine the
nature and scope of problems surrounding the Hogan's Creek
and surrounding parks. To date, meetings have taken place with
the Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Dept of Environmental
Protection, and the Duval County Health Dept. The picture of
the sort of pollution and environmental damage in Hogan's
Creek is getting clearer, and while there are major concerns,
there doesn�t appear to be any immediate danger to public
health.

Finally, SPAR has applied for a grant to begin
reconstruction of the Confederate Park rose arbor. This was a
beautiful arbor that ran along a large portion of the parks northeast
walkway. The arbor, along with the monument to southern
women, was the centerpiece of the park for many years, and is
shown on many period postcards.

Remember, the more we use the parks, the more
leverage we have to get things done. Even if it's just taking
your dog for a weekly walk, get out there and make good use
of them!