Metropolitan Park (Jacksonville)
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Pavilion tent located on the north end of the park (c.2013)
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| Address | 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32202-1310 |
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| Location | Downtown Jacksonville |
| Owner | City of Jacksonville |
| Capacity | ~10,000 (concerts) ~25,000 (festivals) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | December 8, 1982 |
| Opened | May 25, 1984 |
| Construction cost | $3.1 million ($7.69 million in 2016 dollars) |
Metropolitan Park is a 32-acre (130,000 m2) urban waterfront park and concert venue located on the north bank of the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida. It is projected to be the eastern terminus of the northbank Jacksonville Riverwalk.
The multi-purpose facility contains an exhibition mall for art, crafts and boat shows, a family picnic and playground area, and an earthen "bowl" with a performance pavilion which has a capacity of 10,000 persons and is home to many annual events, including The Jacksonville Jazz Festival, World of Nations Celebration, Spring Music Festival, Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks on July 4, Planetfest and many more. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra occasionally performs there, as have many nationally known entertainers.
The primary facility is a 2,400-square-foot (220 m2) reversible stage with seating for 3,000 under the large canopy. There is a green room, production office and dressing rooms for performers. The park has full boat docking facilities with 78 boat slips. There are 6 covered picnic shelters and 43 picnic tables, 3 permanent restroom facilities and water fountains, a children's play area, grills, benches & bicycle racks, and security lighting for night use.
The park is located on what was once a landfill, purchased in May, 1972 for $1 million by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The present park size is the result of several additions since the initial acquisition in 1972.
Development funding was provided by the City of Jacksonville, the State of Florida-Department of Natural Resources, and public broadcasting station WJCT (TV). The project was planned to be completed in two phases. The first phase included an exhibition mall, family picnic area, playgrounds, and the Performance Pavilion. Florida Governor Bob Graham attended the groundbreaking for the first phase, begun on December 8, 1982 by Mayor Jake Godbold. Work on Phase 1 was completed in 1984 at a cost of $1 million. Metropolitan Park was the winner of the 1986 Governor’s Design Award.
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