RE: Proposed Green Infrastructure Improvements at Moncrief Rd. and W. 13th St. The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District requests public comment on a proposed project on the west side of Jacksonville’s Urban Core. The project would be situated on half an acre of currently unused public land in Durkeeville near the S-Line and the Sugar Hill Mosaic at Moncrief Rd. and W. 13th St. Regeneration Park is a proposed green infrastructure and community stewardship project which will create a safe space to demonstrate urban agriculture, cultivate environmental stewardship and empower residents to build with nature for social, economic and environmental health. Our network of conservation and community partners will work together to provide education, outreach, research, hands-on conservation, native seed collection, and technical assistance that results in a resilient and sustainable system supported by a thriving biodiverse habitat. In addition to planned educational workshops, establishing a bioswale and pollinator habitat, and installing signage that explains the functions of the green infrastructure within the park, the Duval SWCD will also host annual celebrations of Stewardship Week and quarterly community cleanups. While the first phase of this project would focus on green infrastructure, a potential second phase would incorporate grey infrastructure including a pavilion, ADA-compliant pathway, benches and solar lighting. The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District has been working with the City of Jacksonville’s Parks and Recreation department to develop an appropriate plan for the site which is less than a mile from the recently completed EPA cleanup activities which addressed soil and sediment contamination at the Fairfax Street Wood Treaters Superfund site. Additional improvements are underway through the City of Jacksonville’s decision to fund and approve the creation of Groundwork Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail system, which will be 30 miles of trails, greenways and parks that encircle the Urban Core. Regeneration Park would be situated along the Emerald Trail's Biodiversity Corridor. We would like to invite individuals and neighborhood organizations to submit comments, questions and concerns by email to [email protected]. Your feedback is important and will direct our efforts for an initial grant application to secure funding for the project. We will look forward to continued conversation in the months ahead! Working Group: Duval Soil and Water Conservation District COJ Parks and Recreation Groundwork Jacksonville UF/IFAS Duval County Extension St. Johns Riverkeeper Jacksonville Youth Works, Inc. NativeJax Permaculture Design Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board Project Proposal Resolution Press Release - Conservation District Awarded Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Now Hiring - Urban Agriculture Coordinator Press Release - Conservation District to Break Ground at Regeneration Park
7 Comments
Nancy L Murrey-Settle
2/17/2021 01:18:26 pm
I Love love love this. I worked just down the street at Stanton for years and for the last 4 years taught advance placement human geography. This project would be a perfect example and learning resource for the agriculture unit of that class. Good also work with the AP environmental science curriculum.
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Jennifer Casey
2/19/2021 04:29:59 pm
Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate your insight as an educator and will consider collaborating with nearby schools.
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Marc Grossberg
5/28/2021 12:35:15 pm
This is exactly the kind of thing Jacksonville needs more of! This project sounds fantastic. It seems to me like this would provide great opportunities for community engagement and learning, as well as bettering the local environment and increasing access to natural areas. I love it.
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5/28/2021 01:09:19 pm
Marc, so glad to have your feedback! We would love to have you join us for our first workshop onsite on June 12. Follow us on Facebook @jaxsoilandwater. Details will be posted soon!
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9/14/2021 01:15:06 pm
Jacksonville Science Festival would love to be considered as a working group partner. Please advise if there is a need and how we can go about submitting a formal request. Thank you.
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Jennifer Casey
9/14/2021 02:05:08 pm
Thank you for your interest. We will be in touch!
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