The city of Gainesville cut the ribbon Friday on improvements at Duval Nature Park, with a new asphalt parking lot, ADA trail, playground, grill and a pedestrian entrance.  

The city park started as a stormwater retention area complete with a 2-acre pond, with the name Duval Stormwater Park. The area features boardwalks, trails and a playground all tucked into the surrounding neighborhood.  

Commissioner Bryan Eastman said he found the park, located at 520 NE 21st St., by chance and called it one of the top hidden gems in Gainesville.  

“Having a park like this, the infrastructure of a playground, the ability to have it be accessible, does more than just make a pretty park within an area,” Eastman said. “It really changes the fabric of the community that’s around it.” 

The project started in February and finished this month, with costs totaling $237,000 through the Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP) fund. 

Rachel Mandell, WSPP project manager, said the improvements came out of neighborhood workshops in 2022. 

“Your input was instrumental in guiding the design process, and the improvements you see here today are a direct reflection of your vision,” Mandell said.