St. Johns County describes $200 million in recent park investments, renovations and partnership-funded upgrades

St. Johns County's parks director said the county has invested heavily in upgrades across its park system in recent years and described several specific renovation projects and community partnerships that expanded services.

"In the last five years there's just under 200 million that's been invested in local park infrastructure," Ryan Kaine said, listing recent and upcoming improvements that include ADA restroom upgrades, turf replacements, new shade structures, additional parking at beach parks and pump-track features at neighborhood sites.

Kaine said specific renovation projects include upgrades to Davis Park, improvements to the Field of Dreams with ADA restrooms and concession upgrades, a pump track for BMX riding at Treaty Park, new pickleball courts and refreshed grass and walking trails at other sites. He also said work at beach parks added parking and restrooms to increase public access.

Partnerships played a role in some projects: Kaine credited the St. John's County Parks Foundation and its executive director Marissa Ross with raising funds to replace artificial turf at the Field of Dreams. "We didn't have enough funds to do the artificial turf...and the parks foundation went out and raised those funds," he said.

On training and inclusion, Kaine said the parks department worked with the Chamber of Commerce and an autism center to certify more than 100 staff members to better serve visitors with autism at summer camps, the golf course and beach facilities.

Kaine emphasized that the county continues to maintain and refresh aging infrastructure at sites more than 20 years old and that routine improvements — from shade over playgrounds to restroom replacements — aim to extend usable life and increase public access. The podcast did not record any formal board actions; the segment provided an overview of completed and planned capital improvements and partnership activities.