Hemming Park has become a no-sit zone

[thelakelander]

^To be fair, that video was clearly shot during a church feeding and is not truly representative. Even the Skyway appears to be closed, meaning it was likely shot on a weekend.

Yes, yes, of course, of course.  Not representative at all.  An anomaly.  Extremely rare circumstances when the video was made.  Not like the park at all.  The videographer obviously laid in wait for just the right moment to defame the park.  Probably paid the interviewees.  Youtube should  censor this video and revoke the videographer's Youtube account.  Can't have this sort of thing.  All lies.  Very damaging...

Lol, the opposite would be making a video about its vibrancy and filming during Artwalk or the Jazz Fest. You could also stop and find people to talk about how great and diverse the space is. In reality, the truth is some where in the middle.

[Adam White]

^To be fair, that video was clearly shot during a church feeding and is not truly representative. Even the Skyway appears to be closed, meaning it was likely shot on a weekend.

Yes, yes, of course, of course.  Not representative at all.  An anomaly.  Extremely rare circumstances when the video was made.  Not like the park at all.  The videographer obviously laid in wait for just the right moment to defame the park.  Probably paid the interviewees.  Youtube should  censor this video and revoke the videographer's Youtube account.  Can't have this sort of thing.  All lies.  Very damaging...

Lol, the opposite would be making a video about its vibrancy and filming during Artwalk or the Jazz Fest. You could also stop and find people to talk about how great and diverse the space is. In reality, the truth is some where in the middle.

Yes, but those are the "right" sort of people, Lakelander. They're allowed to hang out in Hemming Park.

[KenFSU]

I've been working downtown about a month now, and I'm a little surprised by how much I like current Hemming Park. I probably come out here for about 30 minutes a day to work. It's clean. Staff and police are always within sight. The landscaping is nice. There's always live or recorded music going. There are always familiies playing in the Kid Zone. The crowd is diverse, but I haven't been approached by a panhandler once. The food trucks are nice. The furniture is clean and movable if the sun is angling your way. Love the Christmas tree.

Sure, the northern half of Hemming is completely wasted, people largely come through it, rather than to it, and there's a TON of opportunity for improvement, but how anyone can't recognize how much the place has improved in the last couple of years is totally beyond me.

[UrbanRailroader]

I've been working downtown about a month now, and I'm a little surprised by how much I like current Hemming Park. I probably come out here for about 30 minutes a day to work. It's clean. Staff and police are always within sight. The landscaping is nice. There's always live or recorded music going. There are always familiies playing in the Kid Zone. The crowd is diverse, but I haven't been approached by a panhandler once. The food trucks are nice. The furniture is clean and movable if the sun is angling your way. Love the Christmas tree.

Sure, the northern half of Hemming is completely wasted, people largely come through it, rather than to it, and there's a TON of opportunity for improvement, but how anyone can't recognize how much the place has improved in the last couple of years is totally beyond me.

I agree 100% - I have brought several co-workers to the park for lunch who had a bad impression of the place going in (based on how it used to be) and they were blown away. While I wish the changes could have been made in less of a "slap on some tape" aspect, I think anyone who denies the effectiveness of the changes on foot traffic is kidding themself

[KenFSU]

Just popping back in to again reiterate how wonderful Hemming Park's staff is.

I cut through Hemming on my way into the office, and the staff members know me, and remember me, and go out of their way to say good morning.

I sit outside in Hemming to work, and I watch them interact with people, and they're just so damn friendly and welcoming.

I leave work, and they ask how my day was.

Most of all though, you can just tell how much pride they take in their jobs, and the park. I literally saw staff members carefully cleaning single leaves from the walkways.

Lots and lots and lots of untapped potential, but anyone suggesting that current Hemming Park is a black eye for downtown Jacksonville just hasn't been spent time in the park lately.

[jlmann]

walked through after lunch yesterday and couldn't agree more Ken- staff is doing a great job and, for folks who want to eat and enjoy the programming, such a more welcoming environment than the chaos of a couple years ago

[benfranklinbof]

I think the park is wonderful. I had my food truck there yesterday and the energy was nice.
It felt very vibrant and there was a good amount of people just enjoying themselves.

[KenFSU]

I think the park is wonderful. I had my food truck there yesterday and the energy was nice.
It felt very vibrant and there was a good amount of people just enjoying themselves.

Which truck? I'll check you guys out next time!

[benfranklinbof]

Murray Hillbilly, we were the vegan and gluten free food truck. We're still new and trying to figure out everything.

[jaxrox]

when do you think you'll be at hemming park again with the food truck? i like a real good vegan burger just as much as the carnivorous counterpart #nomnomnom
it's been a few, but the last couple times i went to hemming, there was just no place to sit! So are they only making it easier to sit like during events or something? I did go to art walk in October. But i was walking with a group that night, sitting not on my mind lol. Some months i go and others i get busy, as i have been in nov&dec

[KenFSU]

^They have movable furniture.

Looks like they set it up at about 8 AM during the week, and take it down around 5 pm.

[benfranklinbof]

We will be there every Monday except on holidays. So our next Hemming Park location will be on January 8th. There is potential for another day, but we are still looking into that.

The outdoor cafe is pretty nice and I enjoyed the live music that was played as well.

[AJones88]

The outdoor cafe is pretty nice and I enjoyed the live music that was played as well.

Agreed, I loved the cafe.

Hemming Park's is doing better and better, in my opinion. I love spending my free time there strolling around the park.

[civil42806]

So we went from the park being horrible to "what a wonderful place" in two months. That is a quick turnaround even for metrojax.

[KenFSU]

So we went from the park being horrible to "what a wonderful place" in two months. That is a quick turnaround even for metrojax.

Broken window theory, FTW.

Also, you don't have to agree with all of the changes to appreciate what a better place it's become.