In the 1960s, calls to potential diners at Morrison’s Cafeteria spilled into the historic downtown park daily: “No waiting on the main floor! No waiting on the main floor!” Jacksonville historian and artist Wayne Wood has many memories of the city’s oldest and most historic park, but this one is especially fond because he was
JACKSONVILLE, FL - July 23, 2024 Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park joins with event sponsor Visit Jacksonville to present Brew & Barbecue this Fall on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, from 5 pm to 10 pm. Your favorite JWJ Park festival is back for year EIGHT and it’s going to be better than ever! As always, festival-goers can expect plenty of barbecue-themed food
Every time the first chords of Mustang Sally begin wafting through James Weldon Johnson Park, you can almost see Uncle Bill. Lanky and light on his feet, he dances with such joy that people half his age or younger join in. The elder with a New Orleans Saints baseball cap, thick black-framed glasses and a
Our James Weldon Johnson Birthday Celebration and Park Beautification Day was a HUGE success on Saturday, June 15th! 🎉🎉🎉 We rolled up our sleeves, grabbed our gardening gloves, and transformed our green oasis into an even more enchanting space for everyone to enjoy. 🌳🌷🌿 We planted, cleaned up, and beautified our beloved James Weldon Johnson
Wes Howard – Park Ambassador Q: How long have you worked here and what drew you to the job? Howard: I’ve been here a little over a year-and-a-half, I started in May 2022. The job was suggested to me by a friend. The job got me outside and I didn’t like being indoors all day for eight hours. I
Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator Q: How long have you worked here and what drew you to the job? White: I have been here for about two-and-a-half years, since July of 2021. I had been working in marketing and public relations for a while and was between jobs. I left my position with the Cultural
When Isaiah D. Hart first came to the Cow Ford, he pitched a tent at the foot of Liberty Street in what is now downtown. It was 1821 and the area later known as Jacksonville only had two other settlers, a general store and the Timucua Indians who brought their cows to water at the
The historic marker in James Weldon Johnson Park records the effects of Jacksonville’s Great Fire of 1901 on our city’s cherished public square vividly and specifically: “The park and its renowned live oaks were devoured by the flames and only the Confederate Monument survived, its base glowing red from the heat.” The marker also describes
JACKSONVILLE, FLA., April 18, 2024 – Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, The Ritz Theater & Museum and the City of Jacksonville are excited to announce the fourth annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration taking place in James Weldon Johnson Park. The festival will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024 in an effort to educate the community about the
Q: How long have you worked here and what drew you to the job? Britt: Since January 11, 2016. I remember that date because it changed my life. I was in a homeless shelter, had just relocated from Chicago about a year prior after my marriage breaking up. I got the email to start January
“Great event for all of Jax. Love seeing families out and kids having a good time.”
“There is so much good happening in that park. The programming – kudos to you. It just looks like a different park these days, doesn’t it? It looks totally different than it used to.”
“Thanks for being an amazing host! The park is beautiful and a part of Jacksonville’s history. Your staff was stellar!”
“I moved to Jacksonville a year ago and have never felt so much community as I did here, tonight.”
“Wow, the park sure looks better than when I was in office!”
“It’s a nice jewel to sit & enjoy the trees. You can eat, listen to live music & attend weekend events.”
“This event has a real roots, authentic feel. I felt inspired.”
PARK 135 W. Monroe Street • Jax, FL
OFFICE 214 N. Hogan Street, Ste. 114 • Jax, FL
EMAIL contact@jwjpark.org
PHONE 904-515-5098
PARK 135 W. Monroe Street • Jax, FL
OFFICE 214 N. Hogan Street, Ste. 114 • Jax, FL
EMAIL contact@jwjpark.org
PHONE 904-515-5098
