East Jacksonville Park
East Jacksonville Park was located in what is now the Stadium District. At one time, this section of downtown was a suburb of Jacksonville that was separated from the city by Hogans Creek. When it was annexed by Jacksonville in 1887, East Jacksonville’s population was 1,939.
In 1910, the park occupying a full city block was developed and bounded by Adams, Monroe, Van Buren and Georgia Streets. Also known as Palm Square, it included a water fountain as a central design element. Like most of the old community of East Jacksonville, it no longer exists today. During the 20th century, it became one of over 30 blocks leveled for the continuous expansion of the Sports District and its associated surface parking lots. Today, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville stand on the location of this early Jacksonville public space.
Fairfield Park
Fairfield Park stretched several blocks in the heart of Fairfield between Adams, Church, Weare and Victoria Streets. Fairfield, a suburb of Jacksonville, was incorporated as a town in 1880. It was the location of Jacksonville’s fairgrounds, which was established in 1876. In 1887, Fairfield was annexed into Jacksonville with a population of 543. Several pedestrian promenades and a pond featuring an island and fountain, between Monroe and Duval Streets, served as the park’s central feature. Fairfield Park was lost to the continued expansion of the Gator Bowl and the construction of Gator Bowl Boulevard.