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Date Received:5/5/2026 3:32:18 PM
To:citycomm
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From:Wild Spaces & Public Places
Subject:Fiscal Year 2025 Report
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Wild Spaces & Public Places

Fiscal Year 2025 Report

This report summarizes the City of Gainesville’s involvement in the Wild Spaces & Public Places program for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). It provides an overview of the program’s expenditures along with highlights of several transformative projects completed throughout the year.



Fiscal Year 2025 Expenditures


We take great pride in the spending breakdown for the city’s Wild Spaces & Public Places program, as most of the funds are directed straight to the job sites.

Construction, Design and Professional Services

$5,249,665.08

Project Administration

$608,256.69

Operations and Maintenance

$553,037.51

Funds Expended

$6,410,959.28

Funds Received

$ 10,755,932

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Project Locations


In FY25, many Wild Spaces & Public Places projects were completed, with more continuing through planning and design phases. Between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, work was underway at the following sites across various phases of development.

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1. A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center

2. Abby Wambach Park

3. Albert "Ray" Massey tennis court

4. Alfred A. Ring Park

5. Andrew R. Mickle Sr. Pool

6. Bo Diddley Plaza

7. Boulware Springs Nature Park and historic water works building

8. Duval Nature Park

9. Dwight H. Hunter Pool

10. Fred Cone Park

11. Greentree Park

12. H. Spurgeon Cherry Pool

13. The Hippodrome (Old Post Office)

14. Ironwood Golf Course

15. Kiwanis Challenge Park

16. Morningside Nature Center

17. Oakview Park

18. Rosa B. Williams Center

19. T.B. McPherson Recreation Complex

20. Thelma A. Boltin Center

21. Thomas Center, Building A

22. Tom Petty Park

23. Wilhelmina Johnson Center

Multiple Locations Across Gainesville



  • ADA improvements at Lincoln Park, Hidden Gem Park, Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Center and the T.B. McPherson Recreation Complex
  • Crosswalks to parks: Multiple locations, including NW Eighth Avenue to Cofrin Nature Park and NW Eighth Avenue to Oakview Park
  • Park and field lighting overhaul: Multiple locations
  • Signage citywide
  • Trailheads and bike trails: Multiple locations, including SW 47th Avenue Phase 2 Trail, NE 31st Avenue Trail and the Sweetwater Recreational Trail
Wild Spaces FY25 project map
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Projects Completed in Fiscal Year 2025


With many projects in varying phases of completion throughout the year, the Wild Spaces & Public Places Department completed several projects with significant impact to the Gainesville community. 

Lighting Improvements


Lighting improvements were completed at five city parks to enhance visibility and safety.

  • At Albert “Ray” Massey Park (1001 NW 34th St.), new lighting was installed on the softball field, basketball courts and baseball fields 1 and 2, along with upgrades to the tennis courts.
  • At Greentree Park (3700 NW 19th St.), lighting was upgraded on the baseball fields.
  • Fred Cone Park (2801 E. University Ave.) received new lighting for the basketball courts and multipurpose field.
  • At Cora P. Roberson Park (600 SW Sixth St.), lighting was upgraded on the basketball court.
  • At Tom Petty Park (501 NE 16th Ave.), lighting was upgraded on the softball fields and tennis courts, and new lighting was installed for the multipurpose field.


Duval Nature Park


Improvements at Duval Nature Park (520 NE 21st St.) included construction of an ADA-accessible walking trail, installation of a new playground, stormwater enhancements, and development of a designated asphalt parking area with bicycle parking at the NE 24th Street entrance.


Dwight H. Hunter Pool


A new pool slide was installed at Dwight H. Hunter Pool (1100 NE 14th St.), enhancing the amenities for visitors.


Alfred A. Ring Nature Park Boardwalk


Repairs to the boardwalk system at Alfred A. Ring Nature Park (1801 NW 23rd Blvd.) included replacement of all walking surfaces and top handrails, as well as construction of new concrete ramps at the north trailhead bridge to improve accessibility.


Abby Wambach Park Restrooms


Renovations to the restrooms at Abby Wambach Park (4501 SW 20th Ave.) included installation of new toilets, urinals, partitions, countertops, sinks, faucets, diaper changing stations and lighting. Exterior improvements included a new metal roof, skylights and gutters.


Hidden Gem Park Basketball Court


The basketball court at Hidden Gem Park (3170 NW 20th St.) was fully reconstructed.


Kiwanis Challenge Park Track


Improvements at Kiwanis Challenge Park (2002 NW 36th Ave.) included resurfacing the track and installation of concrete pads to accommodate two ADA-compliant picnic tables and six benches.


Multiuse Trail Signage


A total of 37 wayfinding and informational signs were installed throughout the City of Gainesville’s paved multi-use trail network to improve navigation and user experience.


Boulware Springs Basin


Sediment removal was completed at the Boulware Springs basins adjacent to the historic Boulware Water Works Building (3300 SE 15th St.) to improve site conditions.


ADA Improvement Projects


ADA improvements were completed across multiple facilities, including Lincoln Park, Hidden Gem Park, Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park and the T.B. McPherson Recreation Complex. These improvements included sidewalk repairs and concrete grinding to enhance accessibility across multiple park sites.


Fred Cone Park Track


Improvements at Fred Cone Park (2801 E. University Ave.) included resurfacing the track and restoration and reseeding the infield.


Ironwood Golf Course Irrigation


Upgrades at Ironwood Golf Course (2100 NE 39th Ave.) included replacement of the irrigation controls, pump and motor to improve system performance.


Old Post Office Building and Federal Courthouse (The Hippodrome)


Renovations at the historic Hippodrome building (25 SE Second Pl.) included restoration of the elevator, including motor refurbishment, rewinding and overall system rehabilitation. Additional work included repairs to the historic awning on the southeast corner of the building, including structural decking replacement and installation of a new roofing system.


Morningside Nature Center Farm Area


Upgrades at Morningside Nature Center (3540 E. University Ave.) included construction of new livestock pens, lean-to structures, expanded grazing areas and utility improvements within the living history farm.

Who We Are


The Wild Spaces & Public Places Department is comprised of skilled professionals who share a passion for Gainesville and its parks. The department is tasked with the planning, design and construction of capital improvement projects using the voter-approved Wild Spaces and Public Places surtax revenue. To find out more about the program, the projects coming to a park near you and to sign up for updates, visit our webpage at www.gainesvillefl.gov/wspp.


Questions? Please contact Rachel Mandell at 352-393-8544 or WildSpacesPublicPlaces@gainesvillefl.gov

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Gainesville City Commission


Harvey Ward (Mayor), Ed Book, Cynthia Chestnut, Desmon Duncan-Walker, Bryan Eastman, James Ingle, Casey Willits



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