Riverside Park, the second-oldest park in the city, spreads its 11.4 acres through the heart of Riverside, one of the most historic neighborhoods near downtown Jacksonville. It is the second-oldest park in the city. The area was first identified as a 14-acre public park when the Riverside section was platted along the St. Johns River in 1869.
The property contained two lakes that were spring-fed and home to numerous waterfowl, but development did not begin until years later when the land was donated to the city. Some time after 1890 a carriage lane and walking paths were created, stone bridges were constructed, and ornamentals were planted, including camphor trees. By 1907 it was considered one of the prettiest parks in the southern U.S., with picture postcards capturing that beauty.
Tennis courts and a bandstand were added, bringing even more people to enjoy the park’s natural features. Later, when Margaret Street was laid out it cut off the southwest corner, and the north side of the property was used by Interstate 95, reducing the parcel to its current 11.4 acres. A city-owned brick storage warehouse was constructed on the park property along College Street in 1940.
Camphor trees line the walking paths and stone bridges here, reaching to where Margaret Street and Interstate 95 meet the park's edges beside you.