Part of Pamela Wilson’s job as manager of marketing and community relations for JaxParks is contributing to the success of the Downtown community.
Wilson has held her position for 6 1/2 years so she’s had plenty of time to research and perfect the ideas, events and programs that are planned and implemented. She’s particularly happy with JaxParks’ involvement with the community’s youth.
“I think we’re a positive influence because we’ve found the right balance of education and recreation,” Wilson says. “We do a lot of activity-based learning. We’re not the education specialists, we leave that to the schools, but we promote learning in a fun way. We do lots of hands on activity we feel that’s really important.”
Club Rec, an after school program and an eight-week summer camp are just a few youth programs JaxParks offers.
“We try to have our programs free of charge or at a low charge,” Wilson says. “They’re for all ages too because we try to keep them as diverse as possible.”
Club Rec is offered to kids ages six to 12, but there’s also a teen program offered for ages 13 to 17. Both of these programs are free.
“The youth benefits because they have some place to go, like if their parents are working,” she says. “They can have fun, feel safe and still be learning without feeling like they’re still in school.”
Even though a lot are tailored to them, JaxParks events aren’t restricted to only youth. They hold events for adults and seniors as well.
Card game nights and senior exercise programs are two options for the adults.
Most JaxParks activities are run out of one of the 24 community centers located in the Downtown area or other areas across Jacksonville.
“We also have community-based events,” Wilson says. “They’re free events that we take into different communities.”
Treaty Oak Park and the Northbank’s Riverwalk are two locations where these events are often held.
Whether their events are actually brought into the Downtown community or simply open to it, Pam Wilson, along with the other JaxParks employees is bringing our community together and doing her best to make sure it stays that way.