As Depot Park approaches its one year anniversary, additions that will improve the visitor experience are underway. Over the past year, the City of Gainesville’s Community Redevelopment Agency (GCRA) and the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) have been collecting feedback from park visitors in an effort to make the park even more successful, enjoyable, and safe. Here are some changes you can expect to see in the upcoming months.

This summer, several sunscreen dispensers will be installed in Depot Park as part of the city-wide sun protection campaign. As one of the first projects funded through Wild Spaces Public Places, the CRA has been working with the playground design team on the addition of a series of permanent shade sail structures in the children’s play area. These shade sails will provide relief from the summer sun where it is needed most. Additional relief from the summer heat can be sought at the chilled water bottle filler and fountain that will be installed adjacent to the public restrooms in July.

With events and activities now in full swing throughout the park, the importance of providing additional access options to the Depot Building from the plaza area has been recognized. A new ADA compliant ramp will be added to the southern side of the building. Installation is anticipated to start in July.

If you have been to the park recently, you may have noticed a change in the stormwater pond. The Department of Public Works (DPW) recently replaced the fountain. The new addition propels water more than twice as high!

The GCRA,PRCA, and DPW look forward to celebrating the one year anniversary of Depot Park with you in August!

You may have heard that the Grand Opening Celebration for Depot Park is 8/20/2016 at 9am, but did you know the park is now officially open to the public? Come enjoy everything Depot Park has to offer! For more information check out the Depot Park website at www.DepotPark.org.

Check out this great new resouce featuring two CRA projects!

Depot Park visitors will now have some much needed protection from the Florida heat! We're thrilled to announce that Capital City Bank's non-profit foundation has graciously contributed $60,000 towards constructing a much-needed shade structure next to the Depot Park custom splash pad and adventure play area! (pictured from left to right: City Manager Anthony Lyons; CRA Project Manager Nathalie McCrate; CRA Project Manager Cindi Harvey; Capital City Bank Chairman, President, & CEO William G. Smith, Jr.; Interim CRA Director Sarah Vidal-Finn; CRA Board Chair & Commissioner Craig Carter)

After years of community engagement and advanced technical studies, the City of Gainesville is seeking partners to redevelop 17-acres of vacant, former industrial land in Southeast Gainesville! 

GAINESVILLE, Fla.– A quiet, tree-canopied street in the Duval Community will come to life next weekend when the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), residents and two nonprofits join forces to paint six neighboring houses on NE 11th Place.

GAINESVILLE, Fla.–A house in the Porters Community will receive a makeover this weekend, as the first recipient of the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)’s Downtown residential paint program.