Bit of Joy
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The new North Beach Park has a spot to hang love locks. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today

BIT OF JOY | North Beach Park

By Heather Henderson
Published on January 13, 2026 at 11:53 am
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St. Johns County officials officially opened a newly redesigned park in the North Beach community along A1A on Friday. The $2.1 million renovation means new and/or improved beach-access parking, changing rooms, a playground and a pavilion. Ryan Kane, the head of the county’s Parks and Rec Department, tells Jacksonville Today his team “really put their hearts” into designing and launching the park — which, fittingly, includes a heart design. Enjoy the new park at 3721 Coastal Highway in Vilano Beach.

author image Newsletter Writer email Heather Henderson is a writer, editor and artist who has lived in Jax for close to 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Florida.

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