Neighborhood celebrates historical past of Northside Jacksonville’s Scott Park with household enjoyable day, youth soccer camp

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville metropolis councilman and different neighborhood leaders celebrated the historical past of Scott Park on the Northside with a household enjoyable day and youth soccer camp on Saturday.

Councilman Reggie Gaffney Jr., who represents District Eight, stated that there are quite a lot of historic and distinguished individuals who have come from Scott Park, which is situated at 2745 Hamilton Circle.

“We’re teaching our youth about the importance of what you can come from when you just put your hard work into it,” Gaffney stated.

John Gaffney, Reggie Gaffney’s uncle, was the primary Black quarterback on the University of Florida. Greg Coleman was the primary Black punter within the NFL.

“And it’s a lot more individuals…anywhere from like 20 to 30 major league players, whether that was in Major League Baseball, NFL,” he stated.

Gaffney stated that is the primary time that they’ve held the occasion.

“I’m excited anytime you get a lot of legends to come back and a lot of kids to come out and you can talk about community, you can talk about teamwork, you can talk about unity, and you can talk about the history of the park,” he stated.

Greg Coleman is on the occasion committee. He stated this occasion is necessary as a result of it takes a village of coaches, academics, and fogeys to lift youngsters.

“All these young people need is an opportunity, need support, and we’ve committed our support to them, not only physically, emotionally, spiritually, but economics drive opportunity,” Coleman stated.

Terry LeCount, a Raines alum and former Minnesota Viking, stated it’s in regards to the legacy of the park.

“It’s not about the guys that made the NFL, it’s about the legacy,” LeCounty stated. “So everybody that played here, that played baseball, that played football, that did basketball, they’re part of the legacy.”

Gaffney stated he hopes that Saturday’s occasion may help push town to renovate Scott Park and others within the metropolis.