jaxparks

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It's been awhile...

    My oh my how the time gets away from me.  It has been a productive and busy semester thus far. Only seven weeks left of this chaotic fall semester and still so much to do and learn here at JaxParks.

    Mayor Brown recently picked up on a project/product that myself and some other colleagues here at JaxParks have been throwing around and researching since at least May. Part of this new endeavor will include how Parks & Rec recently went through a restructuring of its "Park Districts". This restructuring will allow the needs of the community within each district to be better understood, increase efficiency of maintenance and district managers as well as allow more opportunities for staff to take "ownership" in their work and their parks. We hope that in turn, park users will be able to get more out of the many amazing parks here in Jacksonville and also have their concerns better addressed, among other awesome things!

   It is nice to hear that all my hard work will pay off in more ways than one. It is also very fulfilling to hear that all the time and hard work put in by the Parks & Rec department will be recognized and produce what I hope will be a useful tool/product for many years to come. Stay tuned for more developments on this one... :)

-AB

[jaxparks]

Fall semester mid-term is almost here!

Wow how time flies when you are a busy college senior and JaxParks intern. I learn something new here every time that I come in. Whether it is a new trick when making maps, a new way to communicate with others or just meeting a new face in this big city, discovery awaits at every turn.

Tomorrow morning, bright and early (7 a.m.) I get to get out of the office and help supervise a trail maintenance project at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park with a large group of Navy personnel. From what I understand, we will be helping to facilitate the maintenance of the many biking trails at the park. (Click the links above to be directed to the trail map as well as the webpage for Hanna Park). I will post some pictures and maybe video of our experience tomorrow.  Following our morning project, I will join my family who will be camped out in the park tonight and tomorrow night.  I sure am looking forward to pulling on my hiking boots and getting out into one of my favorite parks, enjoying the night sky, the ocean, and of course our campsite fire.

Until next time, I'll see you in the parks!

-AB

[jaxparks]

Cheers to another adventure at JaxParks

Hello There,

  As what will be my last fall semester for my B.A. begins, I find myself trying to soak it all in. Every last lecture, every last networking opportunity, every last chance to meet a new friend, every last word, every last day on campus, every last page... Time flies when you are having fun and doing what you love. 

  Yet another experience I am soaking in is my continued internship here at JaxParks. My summer experience focused more on production, environmental messaging, public relations, social media, etc. I am not abandoning those aspects of this summer's experience, they will stay with me forever. Also, Amy (the only other fall intern besides myself) have yet to 100% finish our joint effort brochures for Betz-Tiger Point Preserve and Huguenot Memorial Park. Completed brochures are coming soon and I will be sure to post them here.

  My focus has shifted though for the fall. I spend most of my time on Thursdays developing an amenities based map that is user friendly and will one day serve as a way for park users to search for parks in their area, will allow for advanced searches and will be a visual guide to all Jacksonville has to offer in the way of parks, water access, etc.

  One year ago if someone would of told me that I would have the pleasure of working with such amazing mentors (JaxParks and my ITD team), especially that I would be furthering my GIS (geographical information systems) skills, I would have laughed in disbelief. It is amazing what a year can change coupled with always taking chances, changing my major for a fifth time and following my gut. It gives me great fulfillment to know that I am a driving force behind creating a tool that I hope will be very useful and utilized for years to come.

  My time in Jacksonville, at UNF (University of North Florida) and other experiences has shown me that I am never defined. The definition of "Alyssa" is forever evolving, forever morphing and forever in flux. What matters most is to enjoy this present moment and all that it has to offer. 

  Until next time, I'll see you in the parks.

  -AB

[jaxparks]

WOW! It has been too long since we (the interns) last updated. As promised, above is the finished segment of "Geocaching 101".  In this video, you will come along as interns Amal Kamal, Jordyn Middleton and myself (Alyssa Bourgoyne) get an up close and personal taste of what Geocaching is all about. While it was a HOT summer's day during filming, all participants still had a good time.

Interested in furthering your Geocaching experience or finding a new, exciting way to experience the many parks of Jacksonville?? The 2nd Annual JaxParks Geocache Challenge in under way now! Visit enough caches and you will have to chance to gather one of the collectable JaxParks geocaching coins. (Hurry! Supplies are limited)

As the end of summer approaches I urge everyone to get out into the parks. Or start your fall list of parks you still haven't had the pleasure of visiting. I know my list is long and I can't wait for the weather to cool down a bit so that I can truly enjoy a nature hike/geocaching adventure.  Until next time, I'll see you in the parks! :)

[jaxparks]

As an Intern for JaxParks, there are many things I’m learning. For example: I've learned if you’re attending a press conference in the blazing heat of Florida, it is a wise choice to not wear a sweater. Also, remain hydrated or else your sweat will seep through your sweater and will look horrific on camera.  Another note to self, wear sunblock, for without this miracle bottle, tan lines from your sweater will create unusual, embarrassing markings. On a serious level, I have found my niche here at JaxParks. I get along with the team and my fellow interns. The majority of my time is spent in my cubicle. It’s quite and I share it with Andrew Smith. Luckily, we share a mutual love for Star Wars and snacks.

Currently I am working on the Tri-Jax Challenge social media/ print campaign. I have created flyers and a brochure, but most important of all, a video with Haleigh Dunning ( a fellow intern). This video showcases Andrew Smith’s unique acting capabilities. You can view this video at here. 

By visiting JaxParks online you will see my name attached to social media buttons I created for the website.

Two other projects I’m designing are brochures for Huguenot Memorial Park and Betz-Tiger Point Preserve. The best part of designing these brochures is I have the opportunity to collaborate with Andrew and Alyssa Bourgoyne. Teamwork!

What I love most about my internship is that my bosses trust me with my ideas and allow me to have some creative lead on projects. Right now I can say I’m blessed to have earned this opportunity with JaxParks.  I can’t wait to see what direction this internship takes me!

-Amy Roberts

[jaxparks]

The Green Lion Festival-Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013

JaxParks will be teaming up with The Cache Station to host an exhibit at the inaugural launch of the Green Lion Festival in the San Marco area. This festival is co-sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council of North Florida and the Aardwolf Brewing Company.

Its mission is to promote awareness of green-focused businesses, innovative organizations and community outreach.  

There will be several other exhibits to check out, including free beer, cheese and wildlife viewing. 

The festival will take place Aug. 3, 2013, from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Aardwolf Brewery, 1461 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, Fla., 32207. 

This a free event and a perfect way to spend a Saturday with your family and friends. We hope to see you there.

Until next time, we will see you in the parks!

-Alyssa

[jaxparks]

      Are you very creative? Are you experienced with making videos? Are you athletic? Well you don’t have to be to submit a video in the Tri-Jax Challenge video contest. I’m not any of those things and I was in a video…well maybe I’m a little creative…I mean just look at my photos!  But anyways, back to what is important here. Submit your video depicting how you Tri-Jax Challenge to the JaxParks YouTube channel and you could win a 26-inch Roadmaster bicycle! Just be sure that your video is appropriate, that it is at least 30 seconds and no more than 5 minutes. Rules can be found simply by clicking this link:

https://www.facebook.com/TriJaxChallenge/app_403834839671843

And to check out how I Tri-Jax Challenge, click this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG6TENNOSHo

I hope to see your entries soon but until then, I’ll see you in the parks! -Andrew Smith

[jaxparks]

From the creative mind of photography intern Andrew Smith (that’s me) comes a new show that teaches kids about animals. Each episode will feature a new and interesting animal to learn about, with the help of our friendly host, Monty the snake…not to be confused with Monty Python. We hope you will tune in to Critter Corner and we look forward to introducing this fun and exciting show which will be coming soon.

Until then, I will see you in the parks! -Andrew Smith Top photo: Interns Andrew Smith and Jordyn Middleton pose with Monty the snake. Botttom photo: Pam Roman interacts with the friendly host

[jaxparks]

Is it too long of a wait for Easter? Do you just really need to get your egg hunting fix? Well, I have a solution for you. It’s not exactly egg hunting, it’s cache hunting!

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS enabled devices. It is fun for people of all ages. It’s a great way to motivate people to get outdoors and hunt for treasure while they enjoy nature.

We wanted to see geocaching for ourselves, so we headed over to Sheffield Park to get some first-hand experience. Sheffield is our newest park that just opened in north Jacksonville, and we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to explore the new park’s features.

As first-time geocachers, we seemed to make a lot of mistakes. It’s a good thing that Lynie Spencer and Nick Bundin from The Cache Station were there to tell us tips and tricks about geocaching. They turned out to be great teachers because each one of us ended up finding a cache!

So what is a cache? A cache can be anything from the size of a phone to the size of an office desk. They can also be hidden anywhere above ground. The geocacher must use a GPS to locate the cache. However, the GPS will only get you within a 10 foot radius. The rest is up to you!

So why not head on over to Sheffield or any one of our other parks for some geocaching fun! It is one of the many ways to enjoy the great outdoors. We’ll see you here next time, but until then … cache on!

-Amal Kamal

***Above photo pictures Alyssa Bourgoyne showing off last year's and this year's new geocaching coin. A limited number of coins are available upon completion of this year's geocaching challenge. There will be a Jacksonville 2nd annual geocaching kick-off event at Camp Milton, August 10, 2013 at 10a.m. for all you excited Geocahers!

-Stay tuned for the footage of our geocaching adventure at Sheffield Park in the August episode of JPTV!-

[jaxparks]

   July 11th began for photography intern Andrew Smith (that’s me) at Southside Tennis Complex. I went there to get some photos of kids showing off their awesome tennis skills and they definitely delivered. While successfully avoiding getting klonked in the head by stray tennis balls, I was able to get some great photos and had fun doing so.

   After returning to the office and uploading my tennis photos, I went back out, this time with Pam Roman and video intern Jordyn Middleton to photograph and record summer camp. We started out at Balis Community Center where we saw some of the kids’ artwork and even some cool dance moves! 

   Next we went to Legends Center, although our schedule called for us to be at CT Brown, which we passed on our way to Legends… yea that was kind of my fault. So we headed back to CT Brown where Park Naturalist Jean Schubert introduced the kids to some slithery critters-snakes! Jordyn and I even got to pet one of them; however Jordyn was a little more reluctant than I was but Pam and I were proud of her being brave for the kids.

  It was definitely a fun day, as most days working at JaxParks are, especially when you get to go out and explore all the different parks and community centers.

Stay tuned for the next segment of Park Life. And I’ll see you in the parks! -Andrew Smith

[jaxparks]

Yesterday (7-10-13),  Andrew and I got out of the office and back to nature in one of Jacksonville's many beautiful parks, Huguenot Memorial Park. We spent most of our time there with the park's naturalist, Shelley Beville. She gave us a knowledge filled tour of the entire park, pointing out different bird species, dropping random facts about the park, and helping us to understand the history of the shorebird and sea turtle programs at HMP.

I had no idea that there were so many birds at HMP. They like to nest north of where most people tend to drive onto the beach, which is a lucky coincidence.  The areas surrounding the critical wildlife area (CWA) where most of the rookery is located prohibits vehicle traffic.  Pedestrian traffic is allowed and welcomed. The entrance to the nesting area is always staffed by a knowledgeable employee/intern who is ready to answer questions and explain why bird/ other wildlife conservation is so important at HMP and the roles that humans play in preserving it.

We also spent some time with the park's manager, Chris Winterman.  He gave us even more facts about how things are run at HMP, some insight into park management and took us up to the top of the life guarding station for another perspective of this magnificent park.

Amy and I are hard at work to make the best looking and useful brochure for HMP.  The pictures that Andrew took yesterday capture the essence of HMP and will be great additions to the brochure. 

*Remember to click the photos for their captions. Photo credit: Alyssa Bourgoyne

-Alyssa B.

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The TriJax Challenge Promo Video Shoot  

      On June 15, 2013 the JaxParks team went to the Cecil Community Center to shoot a promotional video for the Tri-Jax challenge, which is a triathlon that will take place on November 16, 2013.

The Storyboard   

      Interns Amy Roberts and Haleigh Dunning came up with the awesome idea to have yours truly, Andrew Smith, star in this promo. The funny thing is I’m about as athletic as…let’s just say that I am athletically challenged. The video begins with our protagonist asleep in bed when he suddenly wakes up as the song “Eye of The Tiger” begins to play. He smashes his alarm clock, does a few stretches and a karate kick before running out the door. Next we see him at the swimming pool, unsure of what to do, until his stunt double, played by Garrett Teague steps in and saves the day.  We next see Andrew impatiently awaiting his double’s return. As Garrett surfaces, Andrew pushes him back in the water. We next see Andrew run out to the bicycle where, once again, he is not quite sure of what to do. And again, he has to be saved by his double. The fun really begins as Andrew runs through the finish line and…well I guess you will have to just go to our YouTube channel (JPTV) to see the rest.

                                                                                                                          Filming the promo video was a lot of fun, although, if you are not a swimmer, I do not recommend wearing jammers. Jammers are basically long speedos and they are very uncomfortable. I think the other interns enjoyed teasing me about having to wear them but it was all in good fun. Oh, and if you ever do decide to buy a pair, go a size up from what you normally wear- trust me. The other unpleasant part of that day was running in the heat. Another suggestion- if you can help it, don’t run while wearing a swim cap. It’s too hot and you can’t hear what your directors are trying to tell you.

           I am really enjoying my internship this summer. I am learning a lot and doing what I love which is photography and at the same time, I still get to have a little fun. The staff here is so nice and inviting and I have even become friends with my fellow interns.

            I hope you have enjoyed my little segment of Park Life and be sure to stay tuned for the release of the TriJax Challenge Promo video.

See you in the Parks! -Andrew Smith

                                                                                                                   TriJax Challenge website

TriJax Challenge Facebook page

TriJax Challenge COJ webpage

[jaxparks]

Here comes the sun!

A few weeks ago (June 13th, 2013 to be exact) myself (Alyssa), photography intern Andrew Smith, video intern Amal Kamal, and JaxParks Digital Media Coordinator Garrett Teague arose before the birds to get a view of the rising sun over Huguenot Memorial Park. It was worth it as the pictures demonstrate. There is a certain quite and peace that only be found just before the sun comes up. I was even able to sneak in a little yoga while we were out there. It is mornings like that one that make me wonder why I don't so sunrise yoga every morning!

[jaxparks]

On June 1, 2013, the Northside of Jacksonville, Fla. celebrated the grand opening of the William F. Sheffield Regional Park.  Made possible by strong partnerships between the community, local organizations and city government, this land that was once a cow pasture took $4,238,898 and 10 years of development to be the park it is today. Located at 3659 New Berlin Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32226, a park of this size and quality is a first for North Jacksonville.

Oceanway Sports Association prepared the athletic fields for the many youths that will now use this park as their new practice/ events facility.  Greenscape of Northeast Florida donated trees, volunteers from Clara White Mission planted the trees and volunteers from the Cache Station cleared brush and other debris and placed caches on trails for geocaching.

Mayor Alvin Brown, City Council member Ray Holt, former City Council member Warren Alvarez and former Mayor Jake Godbold were among those addressing the crowd of locals, parents, and otherwise during the event. Mayor Brown recognized the efforts of both council members as well as a number of organizations that came together to make this park a reality.

“Sheffield is more than a park. It’s a story of great teamwork,” Mayor Brown said. “Everyone came together and worked hard, and we have a lot to show for it.”

This 336 acre park offers several amenities including: parking areas, restroom and concessions building, picnic pavilion, grills, ponds, a kayak/canoe launch site, fishing pier, trails, geocaching and two soccer/football fields.

All are encouraged and welcome to check out the newest addition to the JaxParks family.

-Alyssa B.

***All photos credited to Photography intern and UNF student, Andrew Smith.

[jaxparks]

Introducing... the JaxParks interns. We all currently attend the University of North Florida as seniors. We are entering our seventh week as interns and oh boy has it been a fun-filled ride so far. In a short time we have experienced quite a lot and have learned even more.  Stay tuned for more posts about the office life at JaxParks, several of our beloved parks, events, projects and our adventures in general. 

Top photo (left to right): Alyssa Bourgoyne, Andrew Smith, Amal Kamal, Amy Roberts, Haleigh Dunning.

***Click our individual photos for a description of what we do at JaxParks.***

[jaxparks]

Welcome!

We are proud to present the JaxParks Intern blog. It is here that you can explore not only the Park Life (as we lovingly call it), but also what a day in the life of a JaxParks intern is like.