Urban Parks: Treaty Oak Park
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5798-p1130520.JPG)
Located in the heart of the Southbank, Treaty Oak park is a 2.76 acre refuge of historic greenery in a landscape filled with concrete, steel and asphalt.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/860
Great pictures!
How did you get all those pics without including the half-dozen homeless folks who are normally under the tree?
And it is these guys who might explain part of the reason for the lack of use. Whenever my friends and I walk through the park (in the middle of the day), we do not take our time crossing under that beautiful tree.
There were no homeless out there that day. Which was a big suprise.
I attended a wedding at the oak and the wedding party band and caterers were in full renaissance dress. The tree made quite a setting.
Wasn't the fictitious story made up to protect the oak when cutting it down was being planned.
Hands down, my favorite tree on the planet.
Every time I see that oak I can't help but think about all it has seen.
It's too bad the surrounding development has made the park a complete afterthought. Perhaps in time, the park will be expanded by transforming nearby parking lots. Ideally the whole Prudential drive area all the way to the river should have been preserved as a massive park.
Quote from: JeffreyS on August 06, 2008, 09:06:14 AM
I attended a wedding at the oak and the wedding party band and caterers were in full renaissance dress. The tree made quite a setting.
Wasn't the fictitious story made up to protect the oak when cutting it down was being planned.
That sounds like quite a wedding. Bet it was fun (and hope it wasn't in mid-summer!).
On the other point, be nice if some big bucks person would come along, buy the Suddath building, level it and expand the park. Hey, I can dream, can't I?
I agree with Jason, That's my fav tree; Just like the "Big Jim" is my fav steam whistle. Me, my Mom, and brother have pics in front of Treaty Oak, and the Ritz Theatre. What's goin' on with the Big Jim? It hasn't gone off in a while. Jax should've taken the "Whistle theme" for it's city slogan, instead of "Where FLA begins"; It kinda goes wit' our country roots. Oh well. Treaty Oak Rules!!!!
Calliope Style?
Big Jim is a steam whistle that has moved around town several times over the last 100 years, he still sounds off every day at 5 or 6 pm and can be heard from Hemming Plaza. It is currently on top of the Citiy water plant at 1st and Main.
You made me wonder what-if on a Jacksonville theme played on a steam whistle, and DAMNED if I didn't find one! So Ladies and Gentlemen, without any futher adu, I offer you a clip of
"FREEBIRD" (the un-official song of the city that SHOULD be official)
As played by a Steam Calliope organ (a collection of steam whistles attached to a keyboard) about the riverboat Natchez:
http://thecreoletomato.com/news/steamboat-natchez-calliope-plays-free-bird/
OCKLAWAHA
^^^Sounds like you gotta plan Ock :)
Are you sure that the Big Jim is currently blowing at it's reg times(7am, 12 pm, 1 pm, and 5 pm)? One time recently My Mom, and I went to watch it go off, but it didn't.
Big Jim goes off at 7am, 12pm, 1pm, and 5pm, but only on weekdays.
Quote from: Ocklawaha on August 13, 2008, 06:16:51 PM
Calliope Style?
Big Jim is a steam whistle that has moved around town several times over the last 100 years, he still sounds off every day at 5 or 6 pm and can be heard from Hemming Plaza. It is currently on top of the Citiy water plant at 1st and Main.
You made me wonder what-if on a Jacksonville theme played on a steam whistle, and DAMNED if I didn't find one! So Ladies and Gentlemen, without any futher adu, I offer you a clip of
"FREEBIRD" (the un-official song of the city that SHOULD be official)
As played by a Steam Calliope organ (a collection of steam whistles attached to a keyboard) about the riverboat Natchez:
http://thecreoletomato.com/news/steamboat-natchez-calliope-plays-free-bird/
OCKLAWAHA
That was .... different!
But shouldn't the City Song be "Feebird"?
Quote from: Lunican on August 13, 2008, 11:54:12 PM
Big Jim goes off at 7am, 12pm, 1pm, and 5pm, but only on weekdays.
Thanks Lunican. I always get the time (8am) confused for 7am. I updated it; The Big Jim used to blow on Saturdays long time ago, but it doesn't anymore. Yes, it currently only blows on weekdays.
One of our skyway stops should be named for the Treaty Oak.
That's a good idea Treaty Oak Station ;)
Whipping Post!
Treaty Oak or perhaps "Dixieland Park".
OCKLAWAHA
Somebody asked about the work at Treaty Oak Park recently - can't remember which thread. Here is what the city sent me. Not much of a change other than new sidewalks from what I can tell. Less is more in this park - the tree is enough of an attraction.
(http://i55.tinypic.com/t9e3b4.jpg)
My boyfriend used to play in this tree when he was a young boy. Now, he's 67 years old! :)