Ronnie Lovler
It’s becoming easier to enjoy the outdoors in Gainesville with more trails, parks and access, which is largely made possible by the Wild Spaces & Public Places (WSPP) half-cent sales tax.
The city of Gainesville program oversees projects for the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department. High on the current list are the improvements being made at the Albert Ray Massey (Westside) park and playground at 1001 NE 34th Street. The city is also making improvements to the H.P. Spurgeon swimming pool alongside the park, said WSPP Director Betsy D. Waite.
“There are a number of benefits,” Waite said. “Improving the environment. Improving the quality of life for Gainesville and surrounding communities. Also protecting environmental resources. There are a lot of benefits to having a program supporting parks.”
Of course, Westside Park does not stand alone. Since the sales tax took effect in 2017, other large and small projects have been completed—a list that will only grow since voters extended the tax until 2032.
Waite said Westside is the city’s busiest park and is likely to become even busier once the construction of the space-themed playground is completed in April 2023. It will be fully accessible and will feature a range of physical, social and sensory play experiences for children of all ages.
Another major renovation was also completed in 2022 at the Clarence R. Kelly Community Center & Park at 1701 NE 8th Avenue.
The aim is to bring access to nature to every Gainesville neighborhood, including construction of smaller parks like Unity Park at 1710 NE 31st Street in NE Gainesville. Waites said the park has been so well received that a restroom facility will soon be constructed.
Other smaller projects include improvements at Tom Petty Park at 400 NE 16th Avenue that include tennis and pickleball court reconstruction, and Northside Park, adjacent to the Senior Center at 5701 NW 34th Street. It is known as the Generations Play Zone which includes bocce ball, pickleball, tennis courts, table tennis, checkers, and chess. It also includes a walking path with outdoor exercise equipment.
In all, there are 30 different nature parks totaling about 3200 acres within Gainesville’s city limits, according to parks nature manager Linda Demetropoulos.
“Some are just conservation areas and some have both active and passive facilities,” she said. “Some have high visitation for that reason. Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park is very popular with people who have birthdays at the park who like to enjoy the picnic pavilion and playground.”
Sweetwater Wetlands Park at 325 Willison Road is another popular location, especially for birdwatchers, since so many birds are present there. The park was constructed primarily for water quality improvement, but with it has become quite popular because of its pleasing views and access to viewing wildlife.
Accessibility is also becoming more of a focus. Sweetwater has taken steps to make it easier for people with mobility limitations to explore the park. You can see many plants and animals over 3.5 miles of crushed gravel trails which some people cannot explore on foot.
Now, however, they can see the sights by boarding a 10-person tram to take people on rides around the park. You can make reservations by calling the park at 352-554-5871. Depot Park, a regional park in downtown Gainesville was designed with accessibility in mind. The park website says all hardscaped paths meet ADA compliance standards. The play area in Depot Park, including the splash pad meets ADA compliant standards as well. Right now, the park is adorned with holiday lights.
So, take a walk on the wild side and visit Gainesville parks during this holiday period.