Jacksonville, Florida has over 400 parks and recreation sites within the city limits, comprising open spaces, trails, beaches, boat and kayak launches and nature preserves, along with coordinated recreational programs.
The city’s parks and recreation effort is being augmented through the National Park Service Urban Agenda, a new program designed to increase the influence of the national parks as the government agency celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016.
The Urban Agenda program was launched April 13 in San Francisco by National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. The intent of the initiative is to create a system of parks, programs and partnerships within the urban environment to improve local economies, identify natural and cultural resources and promote historic preservation.
Jacksonville is one of 10 cities — and the only one in the Southeast — selected as a “model city” for the program.