Article by Lauren Homrich, Dalton Agency | fcymca.org
Riverfront park to serve as safe hub of outdoor activity for surrounding areas
The First Coast YMCA is proud to announce the reopening of the newly enhanced Weaver Park located on the riverfront behind the Winston Family YMCA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public, outdoor spaces like Weaver Park are more important than ever before as they provide safe, community gathering space. Donated by long-time YMCA supporters J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, Weaver Park was recently completed with new picnic tables and landscaping to complement the KaBOOM! Playground and sunrise lawn.
“Taking advantage of our beautiful outdoor spaces is especially important right now, and the Weaver Park offers a place for rest and reflection for the many runners and walkers who enjoy the Riverwalk,” noted Delores Barr Weaver. “Wayne and I are pleased, along with the Winston YMCA, to welcome everyone—individuals, kids and families, and visitors to our community—to access the greenspace and extend their enjoyment of the park on the banks of the St. Johns, Jacksonville’s very own Heritage River.”
Weaver Park connects the Y’s flagship facility to the Northbank Riverwalk and will offer extended play space for children participating in the Y’s KidZone and will bring new family programming such as movie nights and outdoor fitness classes to the community.
“The Winston Family YMCA continues to be a destination Y in the middle of Jacksonville’s growing urban core that provides critical programs and services for all,” Tim Burrows, executive director of the Winston Family YMCA. “Thanks to generous donations from community patrons like the Weavers, we are able to provide safe, outdoor spaces like Weaver Park to support healthier lifestyles and foster community connections.”
The Winston Family YMCA is in the process of planning socially distant programming and activities at Weaver Park to keep families and community members healthy and inspired during these uncertain times.
For more information about the First Coast YMCA, visit www.fcymca.org.
The Y
For more than 110 years, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has been providing men, women and children of all ages, and from all walks of life, opportunities to build stronger bonds, live healthy and become more engaged with their communities. Learn more: www.fcymca.org.