Memorial Park Association Receives Historic Preservation Award
Jacksonville, Fla. May 29, 2016 The Memorial Park Association was honored by the City of Jacksonvilles Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission as the award recipient of the Archaeological/Landscape/Park category at the Historic Preservation Awards, held May 12th, at the Jacksonville Main Library. The award was in recognition of the Conservation & Restoration of the Life sculpture, basin and fountain in Memorial Park.
In November 2015, the Memorial Park Association, in collaboration with the City of Jacksonville, began restoration of the Life statue, basin and fountain. The project was completed in December, 2015. The restoration was funded by private donations from current and former MPA board members and a matching grant from the City of Jacksonville. The MPA contracted with restoration artists who would maintain the historic character and look of these pieces, using modern materials and methods that would be consistent and compatible with those originally used.
Along with the MPA, the JHPC recognized Councilmember Jim Love, CMS Group, LLC, McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory, Parks, Recreation and Community Services (COJ), W. W. Gay, B&G Electrical, and Innovative Fountains for their contributions to this project.
2016 Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission’s Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony
Preservation Award for Archaeological/Landscape/Park
L to R: Barry Underwood, Historic Commission Chairman; Alice Jones, Project Manager, COJ; Patrick Gaccetta, CMS Group, Owners Rep; Patricia Houlihan, Construction Task Force Committee Co-Chair, The Memorial Park Association, Inc.; David Case, Past Historic Commission Chairman.
(Photo: City of Jacksonville)
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About Memorial Park and the Memorial Park Association
Memorial Park is located at 1620 Riverside Ave., between Margaret Street and Memorial Park Drive in Riverside near the 5 Points area of Jacksonville, Fla. Established in 1986, The Memorial Park Association is a nonprofit charitable organization serving its mission to enhance, promote and preserve Memorial Park as the premier historic park in the City of Jacksonville. Designed by the famed Olmsted Brothers and dedicated on Dec. 25, 1924, it is the only park in the state dedicated to the 1,220 Floridians who lost their lives in service during World War I. In 2012, the Memorial Park Association initiated major planning efforts to restore and rehabilitate Memorial Park to its original grandeur, culminating in the development of a viable master plan that will serve as the foundation for continued restoration efforts. Learn more about Memorial Park and the Memorial Park Association here or visit them on Facebook or Twitter.
20160529 MPA Receives JHPC Award Press Release