The 10-acre Jacksonville Shipyards West is positioned to be an amazing waterfront park in a string of public spaces that reconnect the city to its waterfront and river. When complete, the park will include places for gathering where users can explore nature and play, learn about the City’s history, and honor the City’s heroes, and relax while enjoying a meal with friends, fishing, or simply taking in the beauty of the St. Johns River.
The Shipyards West Park will be designed as a destination for residents and visitors to gather, get outdoors, take in city views, and be a part of the future Downtown riverfront. The park will be designed for universal/ADA accessibility to ensure it’s inclusive and welcoming to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
The proposed design is centered on four principles that touch history, gathering, nature, and water access. The west side of the site celebrates its history, with the USS Orleck and Fire Museum. The flex lawn acts as the Green Heart – a gathering place for recreation, games, and play. Dining and picnic areas can be found on the east side of the site, whether that’s having a meal at the Food Hall, Restaurant, or grilling out on the pier. The riverwalk meanders along the river’s edge and features several overlooks, a beach, and a future boardwalk over the water. The site is bookended by two main buildings – the park support building to the west, which includes a visitor center, ticketing offices, events pavilion, parking, and other important uses to help maintain and run the park. The eastern building, the Food Hall, provides space for vendors to sell food and drink as well as space for retail, with additional parking for visitors driving to the park.
The project is broken out into three phases, or waves over 12 months.
