The Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park in downtown Jacksonville pays tribute to two esteemed residents while revitalizing a historic neighborhood and fostering a connection to the city’s rich history. After years of planning, community engagement and thoughtful design, the park is taking shape in the LaVilla neighborhood, which holds significance as the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson, the authors of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” known as the Black national anthem.
 
This transformative project aims to breathe new life into LaVilla, once a bustling community, and provide a destination for residents and visitors to engage in educational programs and activities that promote inclusivity. Situated within the LaVilla neighborhood, the park will eventually connect to the Emerald Trail, an expansive network spanning approximately 30 miles and encompassing 15 historic, urban core neighborhoods. The overall vision for the park was masterfully crafted by Hood Design Studio from Oakland, California, led by renowned Landscape Architect Walter Hood, who was the recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” in 2019.

Honoring the past

Working alongside the consulting team, Hanson contributed site civil design services, which included coordinating with the project team, shaping the site’s geometry and grading, addressing stormwater collection and transmission, as well as managing utilities for water fountains and a proposed water feature. Extensive collaboration with Mr. Hood and other specialized consultants was pivotal in delivering the civil design work. The park pays homage to the Johnsons’ profound contributions by providing an uplifting theme. By exploring historical maps and property lines, the design team discovered new geometries that were skillfully rotated and angled, infusing the landscape with vibrant motion.
 
The park will boast several key features, including an infinity fountain, a lifted lawn seating area, a stage entryway, markers highlighting historic building footprints, a poet’s walk, a serene garden with seating and enchanting festival lights. Additionally, the park will be home to a Shotgun House, a style of working-class residential dwellings prevalent in Black urban neighborhoods during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The interplay between the elevated lawn and the Shotgun House, thoughtfully positioned on the parcel where the historic Johnson house once stood, honors the past while evoking a renewed sense of unity within this unique space.
 
The project funding was made possible by contributions from the city, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Chartrand Family and TIAA Bank. Construction began in July 2022, and the park opened in summer 2024.