20 Really Good People
Turning a Downtown Eyesore into an Oasis
In 2013, a group of Downtown workers and friends gathered in a blighted spot then known as Hemming Plaza for brown bag lunches. Determined to bring life back to this historic place, they made it a regular activity, often dreaming of what the park could be, if only there was a group to steward its revival. That was the genesis of Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park, the nonprofit that has been managing Jacksonville’s most historic park since Spring 2014, led by Board Chair Bill Prescott.
A strong advocate for Downtown revitalization, Prescott was instrumental in creating the management contract with the City in those early years. He arrived in Jacksonville in 1993 as CFO and SVP Stadium Operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars, providing financial and operational leadership from its inception. His responsibility for managing relationships with City officials – the stadium venue’s owner – made him ideally suited to assist with the park’s contract as well.
Wayne Wood, Bill Prescott and Aundra Wallace (2015)
Over the past 12 years of Prescott’s leadership, James Weldon Johnson Park, which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, has transformed from an eyesore to an urban oasis where people love to gather. Visitors today can listen to live music, grab a bite from daily food trucks, play in the kid zone, or simply find respite from the Florida heat among flowers, shade and interesting sculptures. But there is more to do: A total design refresh
is coming in 2027.
“Bill’s expertise and guidance has been crucial to the success of Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park,” said Executive Director Liz McDonald. “His passion for the revitalization of Downtown helped create this wonderful public space that celebrates our community. This park is the heart of Downtown, and the new design will create that urban oasis we’ve always dreamed of.”
Today, Bill Prescott is a principal with Heritage Capital Group, but his connection to James Weldon Johnson Park and Downtown remains strong. While he serves his community as a board member of Visit Jacksonville and Downtown Vision Inc., his heart is firmly rooted in Jacksonville’s oldest park and his work to make it thrive.