This month, Janis Burns, Director of Jacksonville PARD, was the guest speaker. Burn’s presentation, titled “Parks and Recreation: 2010 to 2035”, presented a view of possibilities for growth, starting within the next 5 to 10 years. Burns said upgrades and maintenance are needed for ball fields and parks, and she reported that the green-way from the Chief Ladiga Trail to the square would be completed as city workers have time. Burns would like to see more facilities at the City Park along this green-way including a parents’ pavilion near the skateboard park, a lighted stage for musical events, a walking loop and possibly a fishing area.
City residents currently use JSU’s tennis courts and track and field areas. According to Burns, separate facilities may be preferable. Burns said the Senior Center needs a patio off of the back and possibly a sun-room. She would like to see the addition of small neighborhood parks, which would give children a chance to play and adults a destination for walking and socializing. Jacksonville currently has a 9 hole disc golf course; Ms. Burns would like to expand that course to 18 holes. Fans of biking can look forward to a new mountain bike trail coming to Jacksonville soon.
Ms. Burns also discussed her big dream that would be achievable if financial resources become available. Cullman has recently built an aquatic center with an indoor pool and Burns said she would love to see Jacksonville get something similar. According to Burns, water features such as those seen at malls or the Birmingham Botanical Garden are popular, but very expensive. With the popularity of X-Games, BMX tracks that could hold similar bicycle competitions would be an asset. Ms. Burns said that over the next 25 years Jacksonville might need another community center in a different section of town as well.
Burns also touched on future sports facilities. If Jacksonville was able to combine its softball and baseball complexes, Burns thinks it would be much more convenient for families. She said that Jacksonville could also use another gym for basketball, because the current facilities are nearing capacity. “Miracle fields” provides a hard surface ball field that is safe and fun for those in wheelchairs. An arena for outdoor events such as archery and rodeos would be a plus, said Burns, as would an RV park near the Chief Ladiga Trail.
The next meeting of the QOL committee will be a brown bag luncheon at JSU’s Gamecock Center on Thursday, April 1st from 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Parking is available behind the center.
The speaker will be Jack Plunk, senior regional planner, speaking on “Making Jacksonville More Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly.”
The public is cordially invited.
David Glass invited everyone to attend a combined meeting of the ACE committees on Monday, March 29th at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
The meeting will begin with an engineer’s presentation on water drainage issues, and will follow with a discussion among the various ACE-working groups.
Susan Di Biase contributed to this article.
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