10/08/2026
Great program this week with Garrett Callis, District Manager for Jax Parks.
Garrett walked us through the downtown riverfront parks, programs, permits and showcased what is coming next.
Riverfront Plaza is already a major event site, from the light boat parade to the big Easter egg hunt. Across the river, RiversEdge is adding a central park and a new pavilion stage for live music and events like the Asian Night Market. Artist Walk, the skate park near the Riverside Arts Market, is hosting community events including the Food and W**e Festival. Friendship Fountain remains the hub for the Fourth of July and silent disco.
Still ahead: Shipyards West is set to break ground early next year, with sand volleyball, a man-made beach, and water access. Met Park is scheduled to close in December and break ground in January so it can host large traveling festivals and concerts. Memorial Park’s seawall replacement is a priority, with smaller community programming continuing in the meantime.
He also made a point about new construction on the river: keep the Riverwalk wide, open, and unobstructed as new development, including the Hard Rock, goes in beside it. And keep the free stuff free. Movie nights, fitness classes, and family events are how these parks actually get used. If city revenue tightens, his team expects to lean harder on sponsorships and partners to protect that programming.
Thank you, Garrett, for a clear look at the many parks we all frequently enjoy and add to our joy of being in Jacksonville.
