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Thursday, March 29

Ed Austin Regional Park - The Dunes

I know there are local Jacksonville names for bridges, parks, streets, and probably all kinds of other things I have yet to figure out. One such name that I'd like to address is The Dunes. Or maybe simply Dunes. It's Ed Austin Regional Park. I found the explanation at coj.net:
The City of Jacksonville purchased this 144-acre site in 1994, and was formerly the Dunes Golf course [...] Formerly known as District II Regional Park, it was renamed in May 2005 in honor of former Jacksonville Mayor Ed Austin.


 I can see why people never called it District 2 Regional Park. That sounds like something you'd call the recreation area at a prison. Locals who live in Arlington seem to call it Dunes or The Dunes, but I have noticed that the guys on my baseball team, who are from all over the 904, just call it Ed Austin Park, since that's how you'd have to search for it in maps. I guess it could be EARP. 

Anyhow, if someone tells you there's a dog park at The Dunes or that you can catch a soccer or baseball game at Dunes, don't show up at The Dunes Apartments or on Dunes Way Drive (with some shady townhomes). However, Dunes Club Road will take you right into the park. 

Overall, it's one of the nicest parks I've been to so far in Jacksonville. That's not saying a whole lot, but it's better than the area being a golf course, at least for those of us who can't play golf.