This project creates a neighborhood park and community gathering space at Orange Avenue and Meridian Street including a shaded children’s play area, shaded fitness area, restrooms, picnic pavilions, a trail around the stormwater pond, parking spaces, and vendor parking spaces. The East Drainage Ditch between South Monroe and Meridian streets will be improved and enhanced. Additionally, $1 million will be contributed to Star Metro for the development of a planned South City Transit Center.
Current Status: Planning and design are complete. The Orange-Meridian Park will begin construction in Q2 2024.
Stormwater modeling for a replacement ditch of the portion of East Drainage Ditch between Meridian and S. Monroe streets is also underway. It is anticipated that the final draft concept for the East Drainage Ditch will be presented to the IA Board in Q2/Q3 2024, with construction anticipated in 2026.
“On February 7, 2023, the project was awarded a $572,052 grant through the Resilient Florida Grant Program.”
Blueprint Project Manager: Junious Brown
Project Snapshot – Orange-Meridian Placemaking
Project History and Community Engagement:
Design work for the park and the new multi-use path began in January 2021. Throughout February and March, meetings with neighborhood groups and opportunities for residents to share their ideas for the park were held both in-person and virtually. Project team members attended the Walker-Ford Farmers’ Market, hosted a Community Conversation and BBQ, and partnered with the Tallahassee Peacemakers Initiative and the South City Foundation in a Pop-Up Pancake Breakfast.
Participants at events and online were encouraged to complete a survey to share their preferences for the new park regarding recreational, cultural, and environmental aspects, and to share their overall ideas. A total of 284 individuals completed the survey, including 124 people who indicated they live within a mile of the park. The strong representation by nearby residents is important as this is envisioned as a neighborhood park.
Stay Involved: In addition to updates on this website, you can sign up to receive email updates that will be delivered directly to your inbox. Join the Orange-Meridian project emailing list here.
