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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesEscambia County celebrated the new Jennings-Gonzalez Park with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, April 2, highlighting the newest park addition in the District 5 community.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry welcomed attendees and kicked off the ribbon cutting ceremony, joined by County Administrator Wes Moreno, Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes, and members of the Jennings family.
"I'm very excited to celebrate the newest park in District 5, which provides children and families in the area even more recreational opportunities without having to leave their neighborhood," Commissioner Barry said. "I'd like to express my sincere thanks to the Jennings family for their support and continued contributions in District 5, along with our Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments for bringing projects like this to fruition for our community. I look forward to seeing our residents and visitors enjoy Jennings-Gonzalez Park for many years to come."
Jennings-Gonzalez Park is located at 1552 Goldenrod Road and features a playground with a slide, numerous climbing structures, and additional play features for all ages. The park opened to the public on Feb. 10 and is open each day from sunrise to sunset.
The park is named for the Jennings family, who have been part of the Gonzalez community for nearly 130 years. The family first arrived in Gonzalez in 1896 after James Sylvester Jennings retired from the Muscogee sawmill, where his son Christopher Jennings continued working after moving to Gonzalez in 1910. The Jennings family became well-known in the Gonzalez community and regularly attended Gonzalez Baptist Church, which was built on property once owned by their family. The Jennings family kept a vegetable garden and a farm, and they hosted numerous family and friends every Sunday for dinner and fellowship together.
Fred Lee Jennings and Sara Elizabeth Hatton were married in 1938 and went on to have six children, all of whom remained in the Gonzalez community and had families of their own. One of their daughters, Sara Jennings Blackburn, later called "Nana," dreamed of having a park closer to home where her grandchildren could play. Although she passed away in September 2023, her daughter-in-law Candice Blackburn said her Nana would have loved seeing the park come to life for the Gonzalez community.
"We are so thankful for this little park to bring joy to our family and many others now," Blackburn said. "Now, Nana has five grandbabies, one bonus grandbaby, and one on the way who will continue playing and spending their time in Gonzalez. We know that Nana would have cherished each and every laugh and squeal she heard from all of these babies she loved immensely. I'd like to thank Commissioner Barry and everyone who worked together to make this park a reality for so many families in our community to enjoy."
Jennings-Gonzalez Park is Escambia County's second park addition in District 5 this year, along with Paper Park in Cantonment.
To learn more about parks and community centers in Escambia County, visit MyEscambia.com/parks.
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