Hemming Park Beautification

[aubureck]

I had been wondering what was going on in the park along Laura Street

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-06-12/crews-remove-concrete-bricks-part-jacksonville-s-hemming-park

Work crews have started removing concrete ledges and brick pavers from part of downtown Jacksonville's Hemming Park, a step designed to beautify an area that was paved over decades ago.

"It helps soften up those hard edges," said Friends of Hemming Park CEO Bill Prescott, whose organization manages the city-owned property in front of City Hall.
The organization is spending about $60,000 for work on the park's eastern edge, near Laura Street, that should be complete before the end of the month.
Getting the work done fast will be important.
About 100 volunteers from Citibank are scheduled to help landscape the park June 24, and organizers want to put them to work in the newly cleared area.
The 151-year-old park was largely covered with bricks in 1977 as part of a redevelopment project that coincided with the park falling into disuse. Restoring green space there became a goal of park advocates when the Friends organization was contracted to run the square-block site in 2014.________________________________________
Bricks are expected to be removed east of the park's fountain, and ledges now used sometimes as benches in the same area will be cleared away. New curbs will be installed around the area being landscaped. Concrete slabs to be used in a sculpture garden will added too, but the sculptures will come later.
"It will be very impactful from a visual standpoint," Prescott said. He said the greatest share of foot traffic through the park connects to Laura Street, and restoring an unpaved, green look in that area will send a message to people nearby.
Money for the makeover is part of a $175,000 capital improvements budget city officials approved for Hemming Park in April, when the Friends organization was given a six-month contract to continue running the park with the possibility of extending that arrangement another two years.

[Adam White]

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,34113.msg470105.html#msg470105

[heights unknown]

I lived in Jax in the early to mid 60's when we lived in LaVilla (817 west duval street), and I remember when Hemming had palm trees, grass, more plants and foliage in certain places, and a downstairs bathroom on the east end across from where the library is now. We moved from Jax in late 1967, and when I joined the Navy in 1974, my first duty station was out at Naval Air Station Cecil Field in an air squadron. From 74 to 82 I was stationed in Jax, and was there in 1976/77 when they started construction on the plaza. When they finished the old bathroom underground on the east end was dug up and sealed up, bricks and concrete were put up for benches, oak trees planted in certain places (which are now huge and grown after 40 years), the band stand plucked up and removed, etc. I was a boy of about 20 or 21 back then (telling my age) and I remember being disappointed with the bricks and concrete and the changing of the name from a park to plaza. To me it was and always has been Hemming Park, and I am glad that they are returning to grass, more plants and foliage (I guess), and the park theme and appearance. I hope they put park benches back in, and a definitive area for bands and groups to perform (like the old grand stand) would be a welcome addition as most parks have one or an area for bands and groups (and other events) to be staged. Putting a rest room back in would also be good; when has anyone heard of a park without a rest room? Good move Jax in my opinion.

[jaxjaguar]

Haven't been to Jax in a while, so I'm solely relying on pictures I've seen posted online. It looks like the half closest to the library is going to be completely close off from public access aside from the perimeter... If this is the case I guess that's one solution to get the vagrants out. If there's no-where for them to stand or sit they'll move along, right?  On a more serious note, does it concern anyone else that the park will be more "closed off" after this project is over?

[remc86007]

I definitely agree that it needs a restroom. I'd much rather have the people that hang out there have a bathroom to use than for them to use the Library one when they need to. I wish something could be done to help the people out there, maybe if there was a center with resources that they could access during the day...

[Dapperdan]

When I think, green space, I think grass and plants. Looks like just mulch or pine needles with no ability to walk over it so in effect, did this portion of Heming become unusable?

[thelakelander]

It appears the improvement's primary goal was to eliminate people from hanging out in that area. It's all fenced off now, so it is unusable.

[jlmann]

you mean everyone will have to sit around the corner across main st. before the library opens now?!?  why they'll have to walk at least 100yds further

the space was unusable before anyway to the 99.9999% of Jacksonville who doesn't sit in parks all day.  at least youll be able to walk down laura now and not be harassed.  the space could be reactivated nearly immediately when theres a better use of the space

[jaxlore]

Whats interesting is this has now caused a cadre of homeless folks to hang out in the shade on duval side the snyder memorial church.

[thelakelander]

Classic case of dealing with the symptom and not the issue.

[jlmann]

like or not at this stage in hemmings life "those people" are a problem not just a symptom.

I hear "nice efforts and all, but also bums" constantly from your typical Jax DT worker when hemming comes up.

ive noticed some have moved by the church, too, but the number of loiterers has definitely gone down since the change

[Jim]

like or not at this stage in hemmings life "those people" are a problem not just a symptom.

I hear "nice efforts and all, but also bums" constantly from your typical Jax DT worker when hemming comes up.

ive noticed some have moved by the church, too, but the number of loiterers has definitely gone down since the change

You never solve a problem by focusing on the symptoms. Tylenol alleviates the fever but you still have the Flu.

[Adam White]

like or not at this stage in hemmings life "those people" are a problem not just a symptom.

I hear "nice efforts and all, but also bums" constantly from your typical Jax DT worker when hemming comes up.

ive noticed some have moved by the church, too, but the number of loiterers has definitely gone down since the change

I think the issue wouldn't be so much of an issue if Downtown was healthy and had lots of people living and working there. It's a numbers game - when you've barely got any people there, the number of homeless people really stands out. That's not to say there isn't a problem - but I think at least part of the issue is down to perception.

[lastdaysoffla]

Can anyone provide recent or current pics?

[Adam White]

Can anyone provide recent or current pics?

Of Hemming Park/Plaza or the homeless people?