The city of Jacksonville is about to begin work on two recreation and parks projects that include an inclusive ballfield and a highly requested dog park.
Susan Baptist, Jacksonville director of recreation services, gave updates to the Jacksonville City Council on both projects during a recent council workshop.
The first project, called Inspiration Field, will be a fully inclusive and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ballfield designed for children and adults with physical, sensory, developmental or mobility challenges. The ballfield will be located in the Jacksonville Commons where the old skatepark was and will include an accessible-surface baseball field, dugouts, field lighting, a shelter pavilion and a sidewalk.
Baptist said it’s a project four years in the making.
“It means a lot for us to be able to provide those services to kids at the same place as other kids that are recreating,” she said.
Work on Inspiration Field will begin May 8 and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
“I’m excited to see the Inspiration Field come to life for our kids, especially those who are mobility challenged or have other sensory issues and being in a regular environment is challenging for them,” said Councilwoman Cindy Edwards. “It gives them access, so that’s important.”
A dog park is also coming to the Jacksonville Commons, an amenity Baptist said has been highly requested by local residents.
The gated, off-leash park will be located across from Inspiration Field and will be separated for small dogs and large dogs.
“We’re just really excited that we can finally let the public know that this is coming to your area, and this is going to be something that I think is going to be really well-received,” Baptist said.
The dog park is expected to open to the public by winter. Baptist said they plan to hold a groundbreaking for both projects by no later than next spring.
The total cost for both projects is $1.3 million, the majority of which is for the ballfield.