Neptune Beach one step closer to getting new playground equipment for Jarboe Park

On Monday the Neptune Beach City Council approved matching funds for new equipment for Jarboe Park off 3rd Street, in a move that brings the city one step closer to improving the park.

Councilman Rory Diamond says the city is getting $44,000 for the new equipment overall. He says $22,000 is coming from the City of Jacksonville and the other $22,000 is coming from a private grant.

“The playground equipment is just so outdated and really doesn’t work.” Diamond says.

Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Gulliford says the funding from his end has not yet been approved. He says he told Diamond he would seek to use $22,000 in recreation funds he has available as a District Councilman toward the project, if Neptune Beach was willing to match it. With Neptune Beach’s vote, Gulliford says he will now file a bill to commit the Jacksonville funds, but that is still pending approval by the Jacksonville City Council.

Diamond says the new playground equipment should be installed sometime in 2019.

He says the new equipment is part of a 5-year plan to revamp the park. Diamond says the next piece in redoing the park will be getting a lawn and shade trees for the newly opened community center.