Southside Park & Playground

About Southside Park
Southside Park is located in San Marco section of South Jacksonville, which existed as a separate municipality in 1925, when the park was first established and known as Central Park. Between 1930 and 1955, the park doubled in size, and the Southside Branch Library moved to its new location at the park in 1950. The grounds also contained tennis courts and other amenities that were augmented by a large swimming pool/teen center that opened in 1956. The City demolished the pool in 1991, and added six more tennis courts in 1996. Through the cooperative efforts of the San Marco Preservation Society and the City, and a large bequest from the estate of longtime San Marco resident and benefactor Abla Balis (1901-96), a new community center (connected to the expanded library) and a new outdoor park opened at the site in 2003 and 2004 respectively – which together with the adjacent tennis facility comprise today’s park. Pickleball is available at this park.

Available Amenities
Basketball
Benches
Bike Racks
Community Center
Drinking Fountain
Multipurpose Field
Parking
Pickleball
Picnic Shelters
Picnic Tables
Playground
Restrooms
Tennis
Trash Barrels