Newsroom

Participants in the Foundations Academy After-School Program combined their efforts to create an Earth Day-themed project to promote litter-reduction at Albert “Ray” Massey (Westside) Park and Recreation Center. The Foundations program is run by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) for children in first through eighth grade and focuses on the Character Counts® curriculum, which teaches the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

Please join the Department of Doing (Planning Division), in conjunction with the University of Florida’s Historic Preservation Program, for a public presentation wrapping up the year-long, grant-funded mid-century survey. The presentation is Wednesday, April 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Matheson History Museum, which is located at 513 E. University Ave. in Gainesville.

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe is joining mayors across the country in encouraging residents to make the long-term commitment to conserve their water resources more wisely by taking part in the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. In return, residents will be registered to win $5,000 toward their home utility payments, water saving fixtures and hundreds of other prizes. Plus, one lucky charity will receive a 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid to help them serve the community.

On Oct. 2, 2017, the residents of Gainesville lost a beloved musician and hometown hero, Tom Petty. In the months since his passing, residents have requested that the City of Gainesville find a way to publicly honor Petty in a lasting and meaningful way. To fulfill this request, we are seeking feedback from the community.

The Thomas Center Associates are pleased to present the first “Swing Into Spring” in the Spanish Court at the Historic Thomas Center Friday, March 2 from 7-10 p.m.

On Thursday, March 1, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, in cooperation with the Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board, the Gainesville Art in Public Places Trust, the Nature Centers Commission, the Tree Advisory Board and the Public Recreation and Parks Board, will present the Arts Awards, the Public Art Award, the Star Awards, the “Friends of our Urban Forest” Lifetime Achievement Award and the Albert “Ray” Massey Citizen Volunteer Award. They will be presented at the Citizen Awards reception for citizens who made outstanding efforts to promote cultural and arts activities, environmental awareness and recreational activities in 2017.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) invites residents to give feedback on conceptual designs for the Clarence R. Kelly Community Center (Blue Center), located at 1701 NE Eighth Ave., and Duval Park, located at 520 NE 21st St. Please join us to share your feedback Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 4-6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Duval Early Learning Academy, which is located at 2106 NE Eighth Ave. Light refreshments will be served.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2019 grant period for the Special Event Additional Support (SEAS) grant. The purpose of the SEAS grant (formerly known as the Support Services grant) is to provide support to non-profit organizations for outdoor community events through in-kind services from the City of Gainesville.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is accepting applications for the Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020 grant periods.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) invites residents to give their feedback on conceptual designs for Northside Park (5701 NW 34th Blvd.) at an upcoming open house.