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City of Atlantic Beach Community Center Survey
February 23, 2024
The City soon will be expanding and renovating the Gail Baker Community at
Donner Park and is contemplating purchasing a former nursing facility (Almost
Home) next to Beaches Veterans Memorial Park for use as a community center.
Please help the City determine the future uses of these facilities by participating in
this survey. This is not your only opportunity to participate in this decision. Your say
is welcome at all public meetings and you are encouraged to provide direct input
as you see fit, including by email to City staff at info@coab.us and to the City
Commission at electedofficials@coab.us. Phone calls on this topic are welcome at
(904) 247-5804.
The Background
Gail Baker Community Center, 2072 George St.
The City has $500,000 in City of Jacksonville funding to expand/refresh the center,
which has three primary functions: Serving as home to the Boys and Girls Clubs of
Northeast Florida (www.becnf.org) afterschool and summer programs for teens;
hosting City senior programming and other community activities; and being
available for rent on weekends for parties, meetings, etc.
(www.coab.us/recpermits). It has a full kitchen and restrooms.
Looking forward, whatever the future beholds for the Gail Baker Center, the City
aspires incorporate the facility as a resiliency hub, as well. (See
www.coab.us/resiliencyhub.)
Former Almost Home building, 100 W. First St.
The City is negotiating the potential purchase of the former Almost Home Beaches
building abutting Beaches Veterans Memorial Park, at 100 W. First St. off Mayport
Road and Atlantic Boulevard, next to American Legion Post 316. The building has
about 4,000 square feet and a large parking lot in front. Because of the size of the
Almost Home Beaches building it is possible to have an abundant number of uses
if the building is renovated.
With about 1.5 acres, Beaches Veterans Memorial Park has a military memorial
area, large stage/amphitheater, basketball court, playground, restrooms, and a
covered seating area with a picnic table.
The Survey
1. Please list programs or activities you would like to see offered for the
following age groups at City community centers (e.g. nature activities, athletic
leagues, educational events fitness classes, art workshops).
• Children
• Teenagers
• Adults
• Seniors
2. What are the biggest unmet needs that a community a center could address?
3. How can the center be inclusive and welcoming to diverse members of the
community?
4. Please rank the times of day would you/your family be most likely to
participate in City programs or activities?
• Weekday mornings
• Weekday evenings
• Saturday mornings
S. What existing nonprofit organizations or programs can the City collaborate
with to enhance its community center offerings?
6. What veterans' services should the City consider providing or making
available?
1
7. What are your concerns or reservations, if any, about opening a new
community center?
8. Aside from after-school and summer youth programming, please rank the
following current and prospective uses for the Gail Baker Community Center
in order of your highest priority:
• Adult day care
• Art gallery and classes
• Classroom/study rooms
• Multi-purpose room (large flex space)
• Saturday -morning activities for children
• Senior activities/programs
• Technology access (computer and internet)
• Tutoring services
• Yoga/tai chi (or similar) studio
• Other (please specify)
9. In addition to veterans' services, please rank the following prospective
community center uses for the Almost Home facility in order of your priorities:
• Adult day care
• Affordable housing
• Art gallery and classes
• Classroom/study rooms
• Day care
• Fitness center
• Indoor community pool
• Indoor pickleball courts
• Indoor soccer
• Indoor volleyball and basketball courts
• Non-profit incubators
• Senior services
Services for people with special needs
Social services other than what is listed
Technology access (computer and internet)
Tutoring services
Transitional housing for women veterans
Yoga/tai chi (or similar) studio
Other (please specify)
10. If rehabilitating the Almost Home facility turns out to be cost -prohibitive,
please rank the following prospective uses for the property:
• Bike/skate park (small-scale akin to Sunshine Park's)
• Climbing wall
• Community pool
• Community gardens
• Compost station for community
• Covered pavilion with picnic tables
• Farmer's market
• Open space incorporated with Beaches Veterans Park
• Parking overflow for Beaches Veterans Memorial Park
• Pickleball courts
• Playground
• Other (please specify)
11. Please provide any additional feedback you have for services and/or use of
these two facilities