Dog park planned for Downtown Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL — It’s something for Downtown dog owners to get excited about.

The proposed Capital Improvement Program that was put forward alongside Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry's $1.2 billion City budget proposal includes $400,000 to retrofit Main Street Park in to a dog park.

The Main Street pocket park sits across from the Main Library in Downtown, on Main Street between E Duval Street and E Monroe Street. It is currently green space that is not specifically programmed much of the year.

The CIP says there has been an increasing number of people in Downtown owning dogs, and the City believes this will be a better use of the park space.

IN DEPTH: Jacksonville's proposed $1.2 billion budget

While the proposed CIP would have the City borrow up to $400,000 for this project, the projected budget at this point is $352,500. The project details obtained by WOKV show the biggest expense would be $180,000 in synthetic turf. There would also be $63,000 in fencing and gates, $50,000 for site work like pavers and stairs, and $42,500 for rock mulch. Irrigation, a drinking fountain, and agility equipment round out the expenses.

The project details say there are also shade sails being considered, but the projected cost is more than $80,000.

The project proposal, as well as the full CIP and City budget proposal have already been vetted by the City Council Finance Committee, but are still pending approval by the full City Council later this month.

If approved, this won't be the only dog park in Downtown, although it would be the one on open park space. Pet Paradise Park opened up with the Jaguars pre-season, and it hosts a few dogs each game inside of TIAA Bank Field.