JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville celebrated on Friday the completion of the first phase of a multi-million-dollar renovation of historic J.P. Small Park and Hank Aaron Field in Durkeeville.
It was a project more than two decades in the making sparked in 2003 with a couple of dads in the stands, watching their sons play ball in the nearly 100-year-old park.
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City Councilman Ron Salem said during Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the ballfield that he and Councilman Matt Carlucci were introduced to the historic park when their sons played baseball for Stanton College Prep.
“It wasn’t the greatest field in those days, but they did the best they could to make it work,” Salem said. “And (I) began to learn about the rich African American history at this park, and particularly my boyhood hero, Hank Aaron.”
Aaron and three other Black players made history in 1953 when they broke the color barrier in the South Atlantic League, playing for the Jacksonville Braves, who played in what was then Durkee Field. The field, built in 1912, was home to both minor league and Negro League teams.
The facility at 1701 Myrtle Ave., which was bought by the city in 1931, has since been renamed for Aaron and for James P. Small, who coached at Stanton for more than 30 years.
Currently, James P. Small Park and Hank Aaron Field is the practice field for Stanton Prep and the home field for Edward Waters University, the first HBCU in Florida.
“The improvements we’ve made to this park are about honoring and celebrating that history and Jacksonville’s role in it,” Deegan said.
Among the $8 million in improvements funded by the city are new artificial turf and sports lighting, upgraded dugouts, and new fencing.
“These exciting renovations will reactivate the ballfield and park and empower our young people, celebrate our history and enrich our community,” Deegan said.
Salem said one of the keys to the upgrades was honoring the history of the 100-year-old stadium.
“This park is steeped in history and is a cherished part of our community, which is why this has been such a passion project for me,” Salem said. “We all wanted to renovate this park but maintain the historical character of this park, and I think that’s what we have done and will continue to do.”
Because the upgrades aren’t over yet.
The next phase of the renovations includes a new restroom/concession stand building, a new stand-alone museum space, a playground and improvements to the front entry.
Durkeeville Historical Society President Lloyd Washington said he was privileged to help with the new section of the museum, titled “The Legend of Black Baseball.”
Salem said his ultimate goal when the renovations are complete is to have a Major League Baseball game played in the park. He might get some help on that front from the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, who have committed to playing at least one minor league game a year in the park.
“I want to ensure. J.P. Small Park remains a place where families, athletes and visitors can gather, celebrate and create lasting memories,” Salem said. “The deep roots of this area have been home to generations of families, thriving businesses and community leaders, and today, this is all for them.”
To celebrate the community’s use of the newly renovated field, a baseball clinic, hosted by Walk Off Charities, followed the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
About 150 Duval County Public School third graders visited various stations that were set up around the new artificial turf field during the event.