Half-Moon Schoolhouse in Gainesville’s Morningside Nature Center has recently received a facelift with funds from the Wild Spaces Public Places program in collaboration with the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department.
The historic one-room schoolhouse, which started in rural Alachua County in the late 19th century, was moved to Morningside nearly 50 years ago. Over the years, parts of the building fell into disrepair.
Upgrades include replacing the schoolhouse deck and ramp to comply with ADA standards. Other improvements at Morningside include a new cedar shake roof and chimney for Hogan’s Cabin, a new roof for the barn and the garden shed and new fencing.
“A master plan for Morningside Nature Center is now under development. It will include a new space for conducting classes and workshops,” said Peter McNiece, project manager for the Wild Spaces and Public Places (WSPP) program.
The Half-Moon Schoolhouse caught Mainstreet’s attention last year when we wrote about the historic building in the often-overlooked park on the east side of Gainesville, also home to a Living History Farm.
“There’s not a lot of facilities,” McNiece said. “The homestead is intentionally designed to be old and to be historic. Now we are just trying to make sure it’s in good condition, but don’t think it has received a significant overhaul in a very long time.”
The projects are funded with monies from the WSPP, collected through a voter-approved one-half percent sales surtax, which will be in effect through Dec. 31, 2032. The tax revenue is used to acquire and improve lands for conservation, wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreation and to operate and maintain parks and recreational facilities.
Other upgrades were made at the Split Rock Conservation Area and Alfred A. Ring Nature Park in 2024.
McNiece explained that during the 10-year lifespan of WSPP, the Florida Department of Revenue estimates that the program will bring in about $90 million for park improvements.
The money goes to the county and is divided among eight incorporated municipalities, with the proportion of funds received based on population.
Money will be spent soon on projects involving the Dwight Hunter Pool and Tom Petty Park.
At Morningside, $120,000 has been set aside for the development of a master plan for the park and a new Nature Center.
Gainesville is home to over 100 parks, including major facilities like Depot Park and Sweetwater Wetlands, as well as what McNiece refers to as “pot lots,” little parks that may just have a few pieces of playground equipment in a neighborhood.
That’s all nice as the roads in Alachua county are the worst in the state.
Interesting comment. But Wild Spaces Public Places has nothing to do with roads. The fault, dear Rick, lies not in WSPP, but probably (in most cases) in FDOT.
It would be nice if they use some of the WSPP money for areas OUTSIDE of Gainesville. As usual with everything in Alachua County, the non Gainesville residents are routinely screwed, even though we pay high taxes’