St. Johns County has finally put shovels to the ground for a long-anticipated expansion of recreational space. On June 20, officials gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of two significant projects, the Silverleaf Sportsplex and the Shearwater Community Park and Library, located next to Trout Creek Academy, according to an article by St. Johns County's Office of Public Affairs. Marking a substantial investment into community infrastructure, these projects are part of a larger $123 million regional park plan aimed to meet the demands of an ever-growing population.
The event was attended by notables including District 4 Commissioner and Chair Krista Joseph, with Commissioners from other districts gracing the ceremony as well. "I’m really proud of our County," Chair Joseph told the Office of Public Affairs. "These two projects will become a place to play, learn, and gather us as a community." Commissioner Sarah Arnold highlighted a dry spell in park development, sharing that "Up until last year, we hadn’t opened a single new park in 10 years." With growth comes the need for such spaces, particularly "with all the young kids," as noted by the St. Johns County.
The Silverleaf Sportsplex will feature a mix of synthetic and natural turf multipurpose fields, alongside dedicated areas for tailgating, food trucks, and ticketing. Meanwhile, the Shearwater Community Park and Library promises to be a multifaceted venue complete with recreational programs, facilities for a range of sports, a splash pad and two playgrounds, and services optimized for children and families. Also, the Shearwater site is set to bolster early voting locations and support the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections.
"We only have about nine government-owned early voting locations," Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes commented. "We only have about nine government-owned early voting locations." Enthusiasm was shared by St. Johns County Library System Director Debra Rhodes Gibson, who sees the Shearwater Library as a specialized resource for families in the area, according to a statement from the Office of Public Affairs. Ryan Kane, Parks and Recreation Director, captured the spirit of the undertaking by saying, "This is where St. Johns County comes together and gets to know each other, enjoy each other," as per the St. Johns County news release.
