is a non-profit corporation solely for the purpose of the restoration and preservation of Memorial Park, established in honor of the more than 1,600 Floridians who lost their lives in the service during World War I. THE STORY OF MEMORIAL PARK
Built by the people of Jacksonville to honor the more than 1,600 Floridians who died during World War I, Memorial Park, one of Jacksonville’s crown jewels,
was dedicated Christmas Day 1924 on the banks of the St. landscape architecture firm, Memorial Park stands at the heart of one of Jacksonville’s great neighborhoods, within walking distance of a flourishing restaurant district and just a few blocks down the street from one of the city’s cultural treasures, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, as well as the nearby Riverside Arts Market. When the weather is good, as it often is in Jacksonville, the park is crowded. Walkers, runners and cyclists circle through the park along the broad walkways. The great lawn is covered with people tossing Frisbees, kicking soccer balls, playing games of catch or just picnicking on blankets set on the ground. Since 1986, when the Memorial Park Association (MPA) was formed, the City of Jacksonville has been a partner in maintaining and nurturing this wonderful asset. The city provides security for the park and provides routine maintenance. MPA’s job is to fill in the gaps in routine maintenance, spending about $20,000 a year on park maintenance. But MPA does far more than assist in maintenance, taking on larger scale projects the city cannot or will not undertake. On MPA’s watch, Charles Adrian Pillars’ great sculpture “Life” has twice undergone restoration. Following major hurricane damage, restoration of the walkways and the landscape was completed in two phases by 2002. MPA completed fundraising and dedicated two new bronze eagles, designed and cast by Diane LaFond Insetta, in 2010. MPA typically hosts two major events in the park: a Memorial Day concert and a Veteran’s Day sunset concert, usually performed by the U.S. Navy Band Southeast or the Jacksonville Youth Symphony Orchestra.
