
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved amendments to its parks and open space master plan on Tuesday, including prioritizing West End and a community park near Hawthorne. Â
Made by consultants, the BOCC voted to accept the master plan in 2023, and the updated version tweaks the numbers and locations of that plan. Â
In the short term, the county is working on a soccer stadium and pickleball courts for Jonesville Park (expected to break ground in the next year) and a pocket park in Archer that should break ground in the next year to year and a half.
The BOCC said they want to get West End, purchased last year, up and running after the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championship happening in March. The event will bring over 3,700 participants a week of competition.
County staff said they have $2 million set aside to open the site as a park afterward, with walking trails, restrooms and a playground. However, a larger phase 2 would come later, and the county wants to have another community meeting to discuss amenities included in that phase.
But the BOCC said they don’t want to spend too long on West End that the plans for a large, 20-acre park in eastern Alachua County get delayed indefinitely. Â
The commissioners discussed hitting phase 1 of West End before working on an acquisition near Hawthorne for the eastern park. After a purchase, county staff can work on phase 2 of West End while community engagement and planning happen for the eastern park.
The BOCC also said it wants to stick close to Hawthorne for now since that’s the population center in the east.
The BOCC asked for an update on Gainesville Regional Utilities’ (GRU) plans for the wetlands off Parker Road. County staff said the project seems to have slowed down, but commissioners said they want the county to be ready when the utility moves forward, with money in hand to make the area a park space.
County staff discussed upcoming plans for Veterans Memorial Park, including a splash pad, pickleball courts and the potential revamp of the roller rink. Staff said space is running out on the site, and community engagement might be needed to see what needs to be prioritized. Â
For the upcoming World Masters Athletics, staff said underground utilities and a renovated parking lot will happen in the coming month. The grass seeded at the site has also germinated and is starting to grow.
The county has had multiple contractors, public works and parks staff on the site to prepare for the coming event.
Phase 2 needs to include a swimming pool at West End.