PRCA News

The City of Gainesville’s Wild Spaces & Public Places Department, in conjunction with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, want your input on a future nature center at Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park. Interested residents may complete an online one question survey by selecting from a list of four options by the December 17 deadline.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and the Nature Centers Commission citizen advisory board are seeking nominations for the annual Star Awards. Nominations are accepted in the categories of Star Volunteer, Star Good Neighbor and Star Green Business.

The Star Good Neighbor award recognizes the efforts of individuals, groups or organizations that help to maintain and preserve natural areas within the City of Gainesville. Awardees are recognized for their positive impact in promoting environmental awareness, environmental stewardship or other environmental contribution.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department is happy to announce that the park will be open seven days a week, including federal and state holidays, starting Thursday, Oct. 1. Sweetwater Wetlands Park was constructed by the City of Gainesville Public Works Department and Gainesville Regional Utilities to improve water quality at Paynes Prairie. Now managed by PRCA, the park contains three miles of trails and boardwalks, and offers spectacular wildlife watching opportunities. Sweetwater Wetlands Park is not only a place to connect with nature, it is also a way to protect our environment. Share your experiences on social media with #SweetwaterWetlandsPark.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department is happy to announce that, starting Monday, Sept. 14, visitors will be able to purchase annual passes to enjoy Sweetwater Wetlands Park. The annual pass costs $75, and is valid from Oct. 1, 2015-Sept. 30, 2016. Passes allow a vehicle to enter the park with any number of persons in the car. Passes are available for purchase in person at the PRCA Administrative Office, which is located on the third floor of the Thomas Center, Building B (306 NE Sixth Ave.), and is open Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Increasing numbers of park visitors, including summer campers and families looking for recreation, have been seen wading, or even swimming, in the creeks in City of Gainesville nature parks. Unfortunately, due to public health concerns, the City of Gainesville does not promote the use of Hogtown Creek and other urban creeks for public bathing or other water access.

Please be advised that the nature trail in Loblolly Woods Nature Park that connects NW 16th Avenue to the boardwalk is currently impassible due to large volumes of water and sediment washing down from the 16th Avenue construction.  This situation is being corrected by the contractor and monitored by Alachua County.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is happy to announce that seasonal passes to enjoy the Sweetwater Wetlands Park are now available. The seasonal pass costs $25, and is valid from May through September 2015.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department is happy to announce that Sweetwater Wetlands Park, formerly known as the Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Project, is now open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 7 a.m. to sunset. The entry fee is $5 per vehicle or $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. The park is located at 325 SW Williston Road. For directions, a map can be viewed at https://goo.gl/maps/bK9YN.

Cofrin Nature Park, which is located at 4810 NW Eighth Ave., is closing beginning Monday, April 6, for major structural repairs to stabilize the shoreline of Beville Creek, a stream that bisects the park. It is anticipated that the park will reopen in August 2015.