Gainesville’s Midland Greenway is in for a major upgrade which will include several additional amenities but requiring a closing of a portion of the park for several months while the work is in progress.
“Midland is quickly becoming the main destination for large public events and festivals in Gainesville but it doesn’t quite have the infrastructure to support them,” Gainesville Parks & Recreation Director Kate Mattison said Tuesday. “Therefore, the main element to be addressed in the renovation is a permanent stage, complete with coverage, audio, lighting, and visual.
Also in the works is terraced seating into the hill on the lawn to provide a true venue feel to the space, Mattison added.
“Furthermore, we are adding a very large plaza with permanent seating and food truck hookups, as well as a large restroom building with storage and a small green room space for bands. Lastly, we are working to address the lack of shade in the space by adding large quantities of landscaping and hopefully some shade structures.”
During work on the project, the lawn and parking lot at 682 Grove Street will be closed. But parking will be available at 422 Banks Street or along High Street near the pond and Dog Park. The project will begin in the next couple of weeks and is estimated for completion in May 2024.
(Mattison: Rendering shows approximate layout once project is finished.)