The Park That Got Away

[thelakelander]

It's kind of hard for me to say how the park would have impacted integration.  Historically, Springfield Park/Hogans Creek was bordered by both black (Sugar Hill, Hansontown) and white (downtown, Springfield) neighborhoods.  It only went downhill when Springfield declined.

My guess is it would have had limited to no impact directly since the city had not fully developed that far west.  It would have spurred white flight from the core but that happened anyway.  However, it would have had a more significant impact on the development form of the Westside.  Probably more residential/cultural uses and industry further west.  Being a major attraction before WWII, its not too far of a stretch to assume that a secondary urban commercial district would have formed along its borders somewhere (similar to St. Louis' Central West End).  Also, by stimulating additional growth in an era before the car took over, development in general would have ended up at a higher density along a fairly gridded street network.  Again, I'm swinging a machete in the dark with this post.

[I-10east]

^^^Lake, I understand that you said you didn't write this article to beat up on Jax, but IMO just by looking at the thread title 'The Park That Got Away' does sound awful doom & gloomy. That's when many of the typical, predictable, and obligatory MJ quotes by posters like 'lost opportunities' and 'awful city government' always rears it's ugly head. Ale Works, and FSU hit the nail on the head concerning this whole matter. On one hand, I probably can list America's 'mega parks that REALLY MATTER' anyways. Smaller, and mid-size parks are perfectly fine.

Remember yall, 'the freedom of speech' argument is a two way street, so no need to make the typical 'if you don't like it, don't respond' post. I respect everyone's opinions, but that don't mean I hafta agree with all of them.

[thelakelander]

Hmm.  It was a park that got away.  Nothing more, nothing less.  While some get too negative with Jax, I think an equal amount get too sensitive.

[north miami]

 What if in fact there had been a desire to retain most Duval waterway shorelines reserved from development,private residence?
think about it-some of the Nation's most desirable areas,regions exhibit such feature,and the focus  of our State's Conservation Lands Purchase programs has been to reserve water body systems from 'development'.

Shucks,the Florida Wildlife Federation went to bat fighting the Southeast Landfill......'Save D DOT area lands!'..........we could have spearheaded timberland reserve,recreation,Fee simple public lands and vibrant Ag,ranch lands under conservation easement......instead we ended up with Nocatee. Across the River,the transformation of regional water recharge area; Brannon Chaffee/ Beltway/ Oakleaf......as brief,simple examples.

the most telling thing about the WPA era failure of nerve is the failings are not solely about others,but rather,our own inherent present day inclinations.

[finehoe]

^^^The sad truth of the matter is that developers own the State of Florida lock, stock and barrel, and whenever the choice is between preservation of some natural area and the chance that someone can make a few dollars off destroying "developing" the area, you will rarely lose the bet siding with the latter.

[theduvalprogressive]

I think there is still an opportunity to do something like this if the political will exists. It hilarious their reasoning was, "Just go to the woods." Where are the woods now?