On a warm, partly cloudy Saturday, Gainesville residents sang along through the Florida heat to Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down.” But it wasn’t a gameday in the Swamp stirring the song.
Roughly 100 people gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the newly renovated Tom Petty Park.
The $2.6 million project was funded through Gainesville’s Wild Spaces and Public Places half-cent sales tax, which goes toward recreational improvements in the city.
The 22.5-acre park’s renovations were completed by Gainesville-based Scorpio construction, with the project separated into two phases.
The first included eight pickleball courts, a pedestrian entrance from Northeast 16th Avenue, a multi-purpose trail, a new stormwater pond and lighting improvements. The second phase was focused on bathroom renovations.
As ‘70s and ‘80s music echoed through the park, several attendees sang along to the classics of the eras. Rick Chin, a 65-year-old Gainesville resident, was among those singing along and celebrating the opening of the park.
“I’m a big fan,” Chin said. “I’m often concerned about what the city spends money on. This is one of the better investments I’ve seen them do with our money. As a citizen, this is the kind of thing I want to see.”
Chin was proud the city was honoring Tom Petty. With the mural on Southwest 34th Street, Tom Petty weekend at the Heartwood Soundstage and, now, the recent improvements to the park renamed after Petty in 2018, he’s happy to see the musician celebrated in his hometown.
Petty is honored throughout the park with benches and fences engraved with his name
Chin recently moved to the northeast side of Gainesville, and he said he’s already seen the park draw in the community. He believes it’ll continue to bring people to northeast Gainesville and improve business in the area, he added.
Chin also said he was happy with the pickleball courts, where games began almost immediately after the ribbon was cut. Chin has played the sport for around four years, participating in tournaments around Gainesville. Going forward, he said Tom Petty Park will be a popular playing spot for him.
“These courts are exceptional,” Chin said. “You see some of my friends playing here right now, they’re all from the west side of town. We come here often, usually every Saturday.”
The courts feature permanent nets, smooth blue surfaces and tall black fences to prevent interruptions during play. Chin said the lighting at night is “extremely good,” too, lighting the courts without disturbing the neighborhood.
These additions were taken into careful consideration during the renovation process, said Andrew Persons, Gainesville’s city manager.
“Design can improve the way people experience a place,” Persons said. “Every element you see around us today serves a purpose."
Persons said the pedestrian connections improve accessibility, making it safer and easier for visitors to move around the park while still maintaining its natural character.
The park was a unique renovation, remaining open during the construction process. Now, the city is officially recognizing the end of the project, something Mayor Harvey Ward says he hopes impacts future generations in Gainesville.
“I hope families make memories here for decades to come,” Ward said.
Contact Logan McBride at lmcbride@alligator.org. Follow him on X @logandmcbride.
Logan McBride is a fourth-year journalism student and this summer's general assignment reporter. He previously served as a reporter for the city/county commission, K-12 education and track & field. Logan enjoys watching sports, going to the movies and playing basketball. When he's not working, you can find him on adventures with his friends, cuddling with his cat Max, or with his girlfriend.
