James Weldon Johnson Park, a historic cornerstone of Jacksonville’s cultural life, will mark its 160th anniversary in 2026 with an ambitious year-long celebration: 160 events honoring 160 years of Community, Art, and Unity.

When Isaiah D. Hart – Jacksonville’s founder – first came to the Cow Ford, he pitched a tent at the foot of Liberty Street in what is now downtown. The vision Hart had of what would become downtown Jacksonville included a small plot in the city center, later called City Park, now James Weldon Johnson Park. As our city’s first urban planner, Hart saw the need for a public space where commerce and community would come together. In 1866, heirs of Isaiah Hart sold the park to the City of Jacksonville for $10. Since then, the park has served as a gathering place for generations, hosting music, art, and civic engagement at the heart of Downtown Jacksonville.

Some of the most notable events to take place in the park include President John F. Kennedy’s campaign speech on October 18th, 1960, during his presidential run and a visit and speech by Lyndon B. Johnson, also in 1960. On August 27th of that same year, the largest civil rights demonstration in Jacksonville history known as Ax Handle Saturday was held in the park, which drew thousands of participants and became a pivotal moment in the fight for racial equality. In 2004, James Weldon Johnson Park honored Congressman Charles E. Bennett, former U.S. Congressman and longest-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida, with a 1,500-pound bronze statue commemorating his 44 years of service and enduring impact on Jacksonville and the nation. The statue faces north toward Washington, D.C., symbolizing his lifelong dedication to public service.

In 2013, a group of citizens wanted to revitalize the park, seeing it as a catalyst for the revitalization of Downtown. They began hosting “brown bag lunch” gatherings, which turned into a plan for a private management model and a “Friends of” group was created. One of the most successful examples of the City’s public-private partnerships, the organization has continued to curate events celebrating the history and culture of the park for the past 12 years.

This milestone year will feature a diverse lineup of concerts, festivals, art-centered events, and family-friendly activities designed to reflect the park’s legacy and its vibrant future.  Our annual festival lineup will include:

Plus, our partnered events that you know and love like ArtWalk, Galaxy Fest, and Poetry in the Park. We’ll also host seasonal Food Truck Family Days with games and activities, brand new events: “Happy Mondays” & “Scavenger Hunt Saturdays” and returning weekly events: Jazz in the Park ft. Joe Watts, and Live @ Lunch on Fridays.

Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park is a nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and contracted with the City of Jacksonville to revitalize the city’s first and most historic public park. James Weldon Johnson Park is located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, adjacent to City Hall, the main branch of the Jacksonville Public Library, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Our mission is to transform James Weldon Johnson Park into a modern, urban space that engages diverse communities and restores vitality to our city’s public square. We accomplish this by adding and maintaining landscaping and amenities and providing daily programming. Our park ambassadors and security welcome and share information with our guests while ensuring that James Weldon Johnson Park is clean and safe. Our programming is informed and supported by a variety of community partnerships.