Peyton Suggests Ball Fields for JEA Site

[stjr]

Today, on his call-in segment on Stereo 89.9's First Coast Connect, Mayor Peyton responded to a caller asking about family friendly activities Downtown with the suggestion that the JEA site would make a great location for ball fields for kids to play on.

Thanks Mayor for joining my club.  Don't forget the Shipyard's site too.

Let's put this on the list of Downtown improvements to attract families both as visitors and residents of Downtown.  Don't forget some area schools by working with the School Board.  The playing fields in parks could double as school playgrounds.  And, the schools could host adult education classes, smaller cultural events (in their auditoriums or gyms), etc. in the evenings.

[thelakelander]

Personally, I rather see ballfields redeveloped and maintained in our existing parks like the ones lining Hogans Creek or in Brooklyn before spending money on the JEA site.  Nevertheless, long term (and I mean long term) the JEA site does have a ton of potential as a mixed-use urban infill community that could include ballfields and public space.

[stjr]

Lake, where would you locate a regulation soccer, football, and/or baseball field or fields in Brooklyn and/or Hogans Creek?

Have you ever been to one of the City's soccer field complexes?  They usually have a half dozen or more soccer fields for league play of all ages.  You would likely need multiple fields for the other sports as well.  Add viewing sidelines and stands, parking, concession stands, storage, restrooms, a security office or live-on-property cop, etc. and you are talking a good number of acres (10 to 20 or more, I would estimate).

[thelakelander]

Hogans Creek - Klutho Park.  There is already a baseball and soccer field in this space.  There are also basketball and tennis courts nearby.  However, all would benefit from better maintenance.

In Brooklyn there is a park on the corner of Spruce and Jackson (within walking distance of the Prime Osborn, Park Street and Riverside Avenue) with a baseball field, tot lot, tennis and basketball courts.  It too, would benefit from better maintenance.

These are areas where urban residents already live.  In the short term, imo it would be better to fix these places up before spending millions for a park with no immediate residential population.  If you're talking about a regional park, then I'd like to see something like that constructed on the stadium's parking and tailgate lots instead of prime riverfront property.  Imo, the JEA site would be best used for a mix of uses instead of one dominant use.

[JeffreyS]

I am not mister it hAs to be private and the government should not spend money.  The JEA site is one that has been attractive to private developers and will attract that interest again after the ecconomy improves. Mixed use is the best use for that river front property.

[tufsu1]

agreed Jeffrey...but using the site as a park in the short-term might not be a bad idea

[Overstreet]

Nice brownfield site.

[heights unknown]

I don't agree with ball fields at JEA site; there are other areas in Duval and Jax where you can play ball.  Reserve that property for an 80 story tower.

"HU"

[copperfiend]

Reserve it for something. I hate this small town way of thinking.

[tufsu1]

Reserve it for something. I hate this small town way of thinking.

It is in no way small-town thinking to put parks/ballfields on the site as a temporary use (same could be done w/ the Shipyards site).

The only risk is that close-minded folks wouldn't let you convert it to highest and best use when the market can support it.

[Dapperdan]

Build the city Aquarium there. I know there is no money to do this, but one can dream right? Then have that guy come in and build his over the river Gondola system that connects the Aquarium to metro Park and the stadium. Instant tourist area.

[copperfiend]

It is in no way small-town thinking to put parks/ballfields on the site as a temporary use (same could be done w/ the Shipyards site).

Who are the ballfields for?

[Ocklawaha]

I found the Jacksonville Aquarium, now do we have any volunteers to install it at the JEA site?




This is the ticket, BASEBALL! Let's subject another ball park to our city's stellar maintenance!

OCKLAWAHA

[stjr]

Who are the ballfields for?

Copper, go back to the top of the thread:

Let's put this on the list of Downtown improvements to attract families both as visitors and residents of Downtown.  Don't forget some area schools by working with the School Board.  The playing fields in parks could double as school playgrounds.  And, the schools could host adult education classes, smaller cultural events (in their auditoriums or gyms), etc. in the evenings.

If we want people, including families and fitness/outdoorsy types (often, young professionals), to live Downtown and rely on walkable neighborhoods and public transit, not cars, a major attraction will be having recreational opportunities within easy access.  These same facilities can serve area schools as well.

We need to get it that even though people live Downtown, they want many of the same amenities of the suburbs.  Surbanites are famous for saying they prefer the suburbs to have a yard for the kids to play in and for the added "green space" not found in many urban areas.  This would level the "playing field", literally!  

[fsujax]

haha. good one Ock! I needed a laugh this morning.