Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => The Burbs => Northside => Topic started by: thelakelander on May 11, 2026, 10:44:56 AM

Title: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: thelakelander on May 11, 2026, 10:44:56 AM
QuoteThe city of Jacksonville is reviewing plans for the municipal government's proposed baseball museum at the historic J.P. Small Park in Durkeeville.

Civil plans show a 4,205-square-foot, one-story building in the northwest corner of the park, beyond the left field fence. According to notes in the plans, the facility would include a gallery space with a kitchenette and a storage/mechanical area.

The main entrance would be on the west side of the building, which would be at Myrtle Avenue North and West Eighth Street. Plans for the entrance show a stained-concrete walkway, benches and landscaping surrounding an oak tree that would be retained for the museum.

Full article: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/may/11/city-reviewing-plans-for-museum-at-historic-ballpark-in-durkeeville/
Title: Re: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: thelakelander on May 11, 2026, 10:45:36 AM
Here's some conceptual renderings that I have on file from the Durkeeville Revitalization work:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JP-Small-Field---January-2025/i-zRrC6T2/0/LMsJpX8xwFDTF7HF388g68tpXZ6F2NJg5djhrhRW3/X2/JP%20Small%20Memorial%20Stadium%20Rendering-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JP-Small-Field---January-2025/i-Q2v5Xmf/0/LddSCGxkSVnH347zrZBBgr6vrDgP4GwsQxrWT94GS/X2/26.02.03%20JP%20Small%20Interior%20Finishes%20Palette%20%281%29_Page_2-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JP-Small-Field---January-2025/i-gpsXppF/0/KhQqkgdpfJN33xKZ884LJjVZFjvMtk822X3H8H6xp/X2/26.02.03%20JP%20Small%20Interior%20Finishes%20Palette%20%281%29_Page_3-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JP-Small-Field---January-2025/i-dR9ntCg/0/LCS5t7GTfst8KnWM8FGm2fgwHhDcrmqCRn3CCJ3s3/X2/26.02.03%20JP%20Small%20Interior%20Finishes%20Palette%20%281%29_Page_5-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JP-Small-Field---January-2025/i-zjKzjXW/0/M236wB6qrWWgm4cbLbL6pV78LHQFPgsTt34Vg2jPz/X2/2026-02-13_PLAN%20SET_JP%20SMALL%20BASEBALL%20STADIUM%20-%20MUSEUM%20BUILDING_Page_05-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JP-Small-Field---January-2025/i-TRz6JhF/0/LBWWtDbLqks74gBfjBgnxNW7XmTkPBcbDvTjHp9MN/X2/2026-02-13_PLAN%20SET_JP%20SMALL%20BASEBALL%20STADIUM%20-%20MUSEUM%20BUILDING_Page_16-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JP-Small-Field---January-2025/i-BbXspth/0/LmVvDS4c38bphTKTJ5zpDdScGkdcj85Hmv9LCxw97/X2/2026-02-13_PLAN%20SET_JP%20SMALL%20BASEBALL%20STADIUM%20-%20MUSEUM%20BUILDING_Page_19-X2.jpg)
Title: Re: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: fsu813 on May 12, 2026, 02:23:46 AM
The public would appreciate some shade at that entry plaza. Shade = good.
Title: Re: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: thelakelander on May 12, 2026, 06:02:36 AM
Yes, there's an existing tree present. They've made revisions to the plaza to keep it. You can see the "carve out" in that plaza on the floor plan/site plan construction document.
Title: Re: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: Jason on May 12, 2026, 09:22:25 AM
Neat idea!

Is that a glass wall facing the field?  Hopefully that glass is tough enough to take some hits....
Title: Re: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: Jankelope on May 12, 2026, 11:06:17 AM
These kinds of small attractions are what make a city. You need a few of the large scale attractions like MOSH and the Zoo, but you also need dozens of small, special things to do.
Title: Re: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: Zac T on May 12, 2026, 01:44:40 PM
Love this. Spent many days as a kid at the playground that used to be there. Exciting addition to the neighborhood!
Title: Re: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: thelakelander on May 12, 2026, 05:55:45 PM
A new, larger baseball themed playground and interactive fountain/splash pad is planned just east of the museum. I'm currently working with surrounding property owners and businesses to help stimulate a small walkable business district on Myrtle Avenue adjacent to JP Small Park.
Title: Re: City reviewing plans for museum at historic ballpark in Durkeeville
Post by: Jankelope on May 14, 2026, 09:24:21 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on May 12, 2026, 05:55:45 PMA new, larger baseball themed playground and interactive fountain/splash pad is planned just east of the museum. I'm currently working with surrounding property owners and businesses to help stimulate a small walkable business district on Myrtle Avenue adjacent to JP Small Park.

I love destination playgrounds, or one's that are unique in some way. I have 3 small children and people really underestimate the extent to which Playgrounds bring families places. Even in the summer when it's miserable out...people still have to find things to do to get small kids out of the house.