Jacksonville's Westside Information Blog

While cruising the web I came across the Metro Jax website. They have done a series of articles and pictorial reviews of various neighborhoods throughout the Jacksonville Florida area. They are worth a look or two.

Here is one for the westsides Lake Shore Area:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-mar-urban-neighborhoods-lake-shore
The article features various pictures throughout the Lake Shore area with a little bit of information about each shot. Not much else but some really great pictures.

Here is a article on the fairly new area of Oakleaf:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-apr-suburban-jacksonville-oakleaf
There are lots of pictures of the neighborhoods, condos, shopping malls and recreational areas located within this planned community on the Westside.

We consider the Ortega Area as the beginning boundary for the Westside area along the St. Johns River.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-feb-exploring-ortega The neighborhood starts at the Ortega River bridge, runs along Roosevelt Boulevard and ends just before NAS Jacksonville.

They Also did a pictorial feature on the Cecil Field Commerce Center:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-apr-suburban-jacksonville-cecil-commerce-center The article has pictures old and new as well as history of NAS Cecil Field and what businesses are currently there.

We hope you enjoy the pictures and historical information in the articles. We sure did!

I have been trying to rack my brain to come up with ideas for this blog. I am still doing research on some subjects that I would like to do and have yet to come up with some extra gas money to spend some time on the Westside checking out new places to go and things to do. I have found a website that has some information that might be worth checking out. The Jax4Kids website is one of them. Check out the listing here: http://jax4kids.com/index.php?page=places%3E%3Ewestside

One of these on the list is the Diamond D Ranch. My family and I had a great time out there several years ago when our company had an employee picnic there. They have a lovely website at: http://www.diamonddranchinc.com/m_23.asp. The events they have are kind of expensive but if you love to ride a horse then it is probably worth it.

The other place on the list that I can hardily recommend is the Chamblin Bookmine. It is one bookstore that I have visited on several occasions and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The shelves and stacks of used books, searching through the piles until you find what you are looking for and to have the ability to trade in your own books for store credit. They use to give you cash but I guess that practice had to be changed. They also have a website you should check out before you go at: http://www.chamblinbookmine.com/

The City of Jacksonville has a great resource for residents on their web called JAXGis which is the Jacksonville Geographic Information Service maps. They include information based on a specific address about Flood zones, local schools, parks and much more. I put in our address and got a listing of which schools my children will be assigned to, what parks are nearby, what nursing homes, library branch, who the city council person was, US Congressman, Senators and much, much more. It also tells you whether or not your home is in a flood zone. That information is very important especially when you need to get housing or renters insurance. The city along with the Fire and Rescue Division has a static map you can print out that list the Hurricane zones for all areas of Jacksonville. I know that map is available in the hurricane literature but it is nice to know where to get it if you don’t already have one of those brochures or just want to look at one. Go to the http://www.coj.net/Departments/Fire+and+Rescue/Emergency+Preparedness/Preparedness/Evacuation+Zones+Map.htm and save it to your bookmarks or favorites to have instant access whenever you need it.

There are several other websites you might want to bookmark and visit periodically and they are the Jacksonville’s City Website, the Local Television Station Channel 4 and of course the FEMA government website. Each of these has a wealth of FREE Information for those who are willing to go there and read about it!

Jacksonville Florida’s Westside Residents know that the old year was pretty bad but are hoping that the New Year will bring new opportunities. There is a lot of construction going on along I-10 as well as the Cecil Field Area which is supposed to bring new jobs. Most of the people who live or have lived on the “Wild Westside” are looking to get jobs nearer to their homes. I noticed the other day while traveling on I-295 during rush hour that there are lots of people going from the Westside to the Southside to work. Never mind the fact that the commute is a “killer” with that many people going in the same direction at the same time but it is bad for the environment, bad for your nerves and costly as well. Now there is supposed to be the Cecil Spaceport. There is an unofficial website that has been set-up at: http://cecilspaceport.com/index.html but there is nothing on it yet. You might want to bookmark it though and check periodically to see if and when jobs will be opening up. FCCJ also has a campus in the Cecil Commerce Area that specializes in Aeronautical training. Getting into FCCJ is fairly easy for those who have graduated from a Duval County School and live here than any of the other schools. Going to school on the Westside will be more convenient for residents in the area, save time, save money and save the environment as well. Now that FCCJ is a 4 year institute you may even be able to get your Bachelor’s degree there as well. The future really should be about learning about space, being able to fly a space type vehicle as well as being able to build and maintain one.

Another website you might want to add to your favorites is: http://www.cecilfieldspaceport.com/ This website has been up and running for a while now and seems to have more information about the upcoming Spaceport that has been approved by NASA. So, now is the time to get training and an education in this exciting new field. Don’t let them bring in outsiders to take jobs away from us. You want to get a job that is close to home to save money, to save the environment and to give yourself and your family a good future!

When I was growing up I thought that most of our produce came from farms around town. There use to be a lot of family farms on the north and westside of Jacksonville. I went looking for information about farms on the Westside to do a feature for this blog. Now I know that times are very tough right now and the family farm is being pushed out due to so called “PROGRESS” and the construction of new homes but can we really do without the family farm or even local farmers? With the prices of food, gas, etc. don’t we really need to go back to some of the basics of life? To that end I am looking for information about small family farms on the Westside. I believe there is still some room on the Westside of Jacksonville for small farmers to thrive and supply some of the other Jacksonville residences with much needed organically grown produce. If you are such a farmer or know of someone who is we would like to hear from you!

I have sent out some emails to some of the people who sell at the local farmers markets around town and hope to get some responses however I don’t believe that any of them are on the Westside. There is one listing for the Oakleaf GreenMarket but it closed for the season at the end of November and their website is still under construction. There are other “Open-Air” markets opened one day a week in Mandarin, The Town Center and the Beaches area. There is also the year-round Farmers Market on Beaver Street. Come-On Westsiders! What are you doing to promote your local farmers in your area?

Cheers
webmistress

If you want to know what to do on Jacksonville Florida’s Westside Area check out the JAX4KIDS website. It is loaded with great information about what to do and when special events are coming. They have things listed by dates, types of events and the sides of towns. This is a great website to add to your bookmarks or favorites. Some of the places to visit are listed below:

Bowling Alleys – Westside

Jax Lanes West
904-781-4422 / 6526 Ramona Blvd
http://www.jaxlaneswest.com/index.html

Bowl-O-Matic Phoenix Lanes
904-387-3569 / 2600 Blanding Blvd
www.phoenixbowling.com

Cassat Batt Bowl
904-389-2360 / 1838 Cassat Ave
Fellow Bowlers Comments Page

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Cecil Aquatics Center Pool

Swim indoors at Cecil Aquatics Center. This heated pool is open to the public and open all year long, except on major holidays. Free. Hours are Monday – Thursday, 9am – 8pm; Friday, 8am – 6pm; Saturday, 9am – 6pm; Sunday, 1pm – 6pm. Note: The pool is closed for maintenance from 2pm – 3pm Monday – Saturday.
904-573-8994 / 13611-A Normandy Blvd /
www.coj.net

Crystal Springs Road Park

40-acre park with nature trails, exercise course, picnic tables, grills, a pond, playground, tennis courts, and multi-purpose play fields.
Admission is free.
Park hours are 5am – 10pm.
904-693-4909 / 9800 Crystal Springs Rd /
www.coj.net

Jacksonville-Baldwin Rails to Trails

14 miles of trail along the former CSX railway line. Features a paved path for walking, running, or in-line skating. Plenty of shade along much of the trail. The East entrance is two-tenth mile north of Commonwealth Ave, on Imeson Road. Two additional trails are currently under construction: one for mountain biking and another for riding horses. NOTE- Be prepared to stop at points where highways intersect the trail.
904-630-4100 / East Entrance: two-tenth mile north of Commonwealth Ave on Imeson Road;
West entrance: North of Route 90 on Brandy Branch Rd /
www.coj.net

103rd Street Sports Complex

This city-owned park features a lighted asphalt Go-Kart track with bleachers, grills, restrooms, and parking. Use of the track is free. However, riders must have their own Go-Kart and equipment. Spectators are also welcome to come on race and non-race days. For more information or race schedules, contact the North Florida Kart Club.
Their website is http://www.nfkc.us/php/
904-219-8729 / 10244 103rd St / 103rd Street Sports Complex

Ringhaver Park

The park includes a two-mile asphalt path with wooden bridges, providing access to the Ortega River Nature Preserve for walkers, joggers and the handicapped. There are also softball and soccer fields, a covered picnic area, and an all-child playground.
Open 5am – 10pm.
904-630-4100 / 5198 118th St /
www.coj.net

Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
(Formerly Westside Regional Park)

“With 509 acres, Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is among the largest of all Jacksonville parks. It features a nature center and outdoor classroom, picnic area with grills and playground equipment, biking trails, a series of hiking and nature trails, and an elevated platform from which to view wetlands, soaring bald eagles, and other birds. Along the trails you will see evidence of Jacksonville’s past in the form of a 16-foot wide brick road built in the early 20th century.

Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is headquarters for the city’s park naturalist who will gladly set up a nature walk or program for your organized group, club, school, or class.
All programs are free of charge and can be scheduled by calling 904-573-2498.”
Call ahead for park hours.
904-573-2498 / 7000 Roosevelt Blvd /
www.coj.net

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Adventure Landing

Two 18-hole miniature golf courses, Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Arcade.

904-771-2803 / 4825 Blanding Blvd /

www.adventurelanding.com

Diamond D Ranch

Ranch and forest horseback riding for all ages. 1 hour trail ride – $35. 2 hours – $65. Or pack a lunch and go for half day – $140. Children under 7 years of age – a parent or adult can hand lead a pony while child rides in the saddle around the ranch and can see all kinds of animals, such as water and bison buffalos, deer, goats, sheep, lama, antelope, ostrich, cows, horses and many more. Over-night stays available in the their bunkhouse. Call to make a reservation.
904-289-9331/ 5903-1 Solomon Rd /
www.diamonddranchinc.com

Doing Dishes

Paint your own pottery studio. No lessons needed. $6 per person plus pottery.
904-388-7088 / 1026 Edgewood Ave. South /
www.doingdishes.com

Home Depot Kids’ Workshops

Free “How-To Clinics” designed for children ages 5-12. Offered the first Sat of each month between 9am and 12 noon. Children accompanied by an adult construct projects from pre-fabricated kits. The kits are designed to be both educational and practical. Teaches do-it-yourself skills and tool safety.
904-782-6208 / 855 Lane Ave S /
www.homedepot.com

Jungle Quest

Jungle Quest is a safe, fun and experiential challenge that teaches self confidence, responsibility, problem solving and teamwork. The jungle, which includes four private party rooms, a toddler area and an observation area for parents, is open seven days a week, 10am to 6pm.

Available for birthday parties, drop-in play, groups and special events, Jungle Quest features:
* Zooming Zip Lines: 75 feet long, suspended 17 feet in the air
* Traverse Swinging Bridges: 15-feet-long rope bridges suspended seven to nine feet in the air
* Rock Wall: 20-feet-high

Located across the street from JAX NAS Yorktown Gate
Jungle Quest / 904-779-7572 / 4616-1 Sub Chaser Court /
www.junglequest.net

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Chamblin Book Mine

A used and rare books store. Customers can exchange books for others they wish to read. Features a big kids book section with kid-sized tables where children can sit and enjoy the book offerings.
Hours are Mon-Sat, 10am – 6pm.
904-384-1685 / 4551 Roosevelt Blvd /
www.chamblinbookmine.com

For those who have children or would like to volunteer to help children you should look into the Boy and Girl Scouts of America organization. This is a great way for your children to learn about our environment, volunteerism and to have fun while doing. The Boys and Girls Councils of North Florida have lots of information on how to join and look forward to having your child become a boy or girl scout. The adults can also volunteer to help teach their children new skills that will serve them well as adults. For those who don’t have children or their children are grown it is a great opportunity to share you life learning skills with those who need it the most. Each fall the Boys and Girls Scouts starts their drive for new recruits. It is not too late just call your local council and they will be happy to help. There is a small yearly fee for each child and there will be uniform costs but each troop has various rules and some can help with some of the costs. So CALL TODAY!

FOR those who are already in a local troop and want to send me your link I will be happy to post it here. Just send me a message at: jolene.macfadden@jacksonvilleswestside.info or become a subscriber and post a comment to this blog.

Here is some general information about each group and their contact information:

National Website:

http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/ For Girl Scouts

http://scouting.org/for Boy Scouts

LOCAL INFORMATION:

Boy Scouts of America
North Florida Council
521 Edgewood Ave S
Jacksonville, FL 32205
904.388.0591
800.232.0845 Toll Free
904.387.4148 Fax
jana.metzger@scouting.org
http://www.nfcscouting.org

Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc.
Jacksonville Service Center
1000 Shearer Street
Jacksonville, FL 32205-6055
(904) 388-4653
(800) 347-2688 – Local Toll Free Phone
Fax: (904) 384-1542
Email: info@girlscouts-gateway.org
Web Site: http://www.girlscouts-gateway.org
http://www.facebook.com/gsgcfl ON FACEBOOK

Youth Programs

BOYS
Tiger Cubs is a year-round family- and home-centered program that encourages the ethical decision-making skills for first-grade (or 7-year-old) boys. These boys participate in the program with their adult partners. The program emphasizes shared leadership, learning about the community, and family understanding.

Cub Scouts is a year-round family- and home-centered program that develops ethical decision-making skills for boys in the second through fifth grade (or who are 8, 9, and 10 years old). Activities emphasize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

Boy Scouts is a year-round program that develops ethical decision-making skills for young men ages 11 to 18. Activities emphasize responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities.

GIRLS
* Girl Scout Daisy, grades K-1
Girl Scout Daisies meet in groups of five to 10 with two or more adult leaders in a nurturing, inclusive environment. They go on trips, learn about nature and science, and explore the arts and their communities. Girl Scout Daisies can also earn Learning Petals and receive participation patches.

* Girl Scout Brownie, grades 2-3
Girl Scouts Brownies work together in groups, earn Girl Scout Brownie Try-Its, and explore their community. Friendship, fun, and age-appropriate activities begin at the Girl Scout Brownie meeting and move out to the community and wider world.

* Girl Scout Junior, grades 4-5
Girl Scout Juniors earn badges and discover what girl power is all about through new activities and by learning to take charge of their own plans. They gain self-confidence as they explore the world in partnership with their troop/group leaders.

* Girl Scout Cadette, grades 6-8; * Girl Scout Senior, grades 9-10; * Girl Scout Ambassador, grades 11-12

Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors participate in Girl Scouting in many ways. Under the guidance of a trained adult advisor, girls mix and match activities and resources to suit their needs while giving back to their communities. They connect with each other and build self-esteem and confidence in their skills as they work on a range of projects and gain life experiences.

FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Venturing is a year round program for young adults, men and women, between the ages of 14 (having completed the eighth grade) and 20. Its purpose is to provide positive experiences to help youth mature and to prepare them to become responsible adults.

Learning For Life Consists of Three Different Programs. For more information on any of the Learning For Life Programs, contact Ben Butler at 904.388.0591, or benjamin.butler@scouting.org.

Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women who are 14 through 20 years old. Exploring units have a focus on a career field, such as law enforcement, fire/rescue, health, law, aviation, engineering, or the like, and are sponsored by a government or business entity.

Character Education is a series of school-based programs designed to support schools and educational organizations in helping youth with character education, life skills, building self-esteem, and developing ethical decision-making skills.

Classroom Scouting is a school based program conducted in partnership with the Girl Scouts. The program is for children with physical, emotional and mental exceptionalities.

JOIN TODAY!
admin

Another free resource available to Duval county residents is our libraries. For the price of a signature and photo id you can fill out the short application and get your library card. Our libraries have free access to books, movies, music, internet and much, much more. You can go online with your card and reserve your books music and movies as well as renew your items that have already been checked out. The online service also gives library patrons access to online databases for research, ebooks and getting material from other libraries. Each of the branch libraries has computers with internet access, wireless internet for the laptop users, conference rooms to use as well as study rooms. The children’s area is separated from the main part of the library because little ones have a tendency of getting a little loud.

Take time out to visit your local branch and see what events are taking place this month. Many offer movie nights, storytime for little ones, how-to sessions on various subjects, and teen stuff. So, go to your local library and if you don’t have a library card get one!

Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional
(904) 778-7305
6887 103rd St 32210
Hours:
• Mon – Thu: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Fri & Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Sun: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. *
http://jpl.coj.net/lib/branches/cw.html

Webb Wesconnet Library

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West Regional
(904) 693-1448
1425 Chaffee Rd S 32221
Hours:
• Mon – Thu: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Fri & Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Sun: CLOSED
http://jpl.coj.net/lib/branches/wst.html

West Regional Library

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Argyle Branch
(904) 573-3164
7973 Old Middleburg Rd S 32222
Hours:
• Mon – Tue: 12 noon – 9 p.m.
• Wed – Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Sun: CLOSED
http://jpl.coj.net/lib/branches/ayl.html

Argyle Library

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Maxville Branch
(904) 289-7563
8375 Maxville Blvd 32234
Hours:
• Mon & Tue: 12 noon – 9 p.m.
• Wed – Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Sun: CLOSED
http://jpl.coj.net/lib/branches/max.html

Maxville Library

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Middleburg-Clay Hill
2245 Aster Ave
Middleburg, FL 32068
(904) 541-5855

Hours
Monday 10:00a.m.-6:00p.m.
Tuesday 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m
Wednesday 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m
Thursday 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m
Friday 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Saturday 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Sunday Closed
http://www.ccpl.lib.fl.us/locations.html

Middleburg Library

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Orange Park
2054 Plainfield Ave
Orange Park, FL 32073
(904) 278-4750 (Information)
(904) 278-4751 (Children’s)
(904) 278-4753 (Reference)

Hours
Monday 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m
Tuesday 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m
Wednesday 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m
Thursday 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m
Friday 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Saturday 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Sunday Closed
http://www.ccpl.lib.fl.us/locations.html

Orange Park Library

Some of our most precious resources are available to us for free. As with most parts of Jacksonville, Florida there are parks to play in and libraries to get books to read. When we were cruising around the westside last month we came across a new park called Old Jennings Forest. This is mostly a hiking and horseback riding area. There are some picnic tables and barbeque pits and of course bathroom facilities available. During the early morning hours we came across this place to watch a couple taking out their horses from their trailers to begin the trot through the trails. Jennings State Forest is sponsored by the State of Florida and the Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry to set aside areas for people to hike and ride their horses here in the city limits.

We didn’t get a chance to walk the trails but there is a camping area there as well. You reach the camping area by a forest road off of Live Oak Lane. You should check with the forest ranger to see what the current fees are and if you can take a vehicle on the forest road to the camping area.

Division of Forestry
Jennings State Forest
1337 Long Horn road
Middleburg, FL 32068
(904) 291-5530

This month we rode around parts of the Westside to get a few pictures and to check on the changes that have been made over the last year. My oldest daughter lived on the Westside for a few years but decided to move closer to her job and us 2 years ago so we haven’t had to make any trips there in a while. There have been some growth in the area and there are plans for a lot more. Some would say that it is cheaper to live on the Westside but lately it hasn’t been any safer.

As with most of the areas around Jacksonville, Florida we seem to include outlying areas from other counties are part of our own. Orange Park and Middleburg is a prime example as they are both part of Clay County but many of their residents work in the Jacksonville are and they are seen as sort of suburbs of Jacksonville by most residents. To that end we will be adding them to this blog soon.

In the mean time enjoy some of the pictures we have taken of those areas below: