Good turnout for 'BYO Lunch to Hemming'


  • By Max Marbut
  • | 12:00 p.m. October 31, 2013
  • | 5 Free Articles Remaining!
Hemming Plaza was the destination Wednesday for an impromptu, al fresco midday meal.
Hemming Plaza was the destination Wednesday for an impromptu, al fresco midday meal.
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Proving that it doesn't take complicated logistics or weeks of planning to invigorate a public space Downtown, about 50 people gathered Wednesday in Hemming Plaza to eat lunch under the shade trees.

"It started out as just an idea and then it grew through social media," said Michelle Barth, Mayor's Office deputy chief of staff.

Some of the Downtown workers and visitors bought lunch to go at nearby restaurants while others brought their brown bags. Homemade chocolate chip cookies were passed around for dessert.

The 1.5-acre green space near City Hall, the Main Library and the Museum of Contemporary Art was established as a public square around 1857 by Isaiah Hart, the founder of Jacksonville. First known as "City Park," it also was called "St. James Park" and in 1899 was renamed "Hemming Park" in honor of Civil War veteran Charles C. Hemming, who donated the statue of the Confederate soldier atop the pillar in the fountain on the west side of the plaza.

The city is seeking a private operator to manage and program activities at the park and is scheduled to release a formal request for proposals before the end of this year.

To learn more about Downtown activities, visit downtownjacksonville.org.

[email protected]

(904) 356-2466

 

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