Anna Newhoff
NCR Reporter
Construction on Nassau County’s Westside Regional Park continues, with major milestones already complete and an early summer 2026 opening still on schedule.
Work on the 107.65-acre park began in January, with an expected 18-month construction timeline. The Westside Regional Park is located at 545 Lake Drive, Hilliard.
According to the Nassau County website, the property was purchased by the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners in 2007. In 2020, county leadership commenced the planning and design operations to create a consensus-built vision and master plan for the property. In May 2021, design firm Prosser Inc. presented a series of renderings of what the property’s master plan could look like. The county commission moved to adopt the conceptual plan.
Almost a year later, a few major milestones have been completed at the site, according to Deputy County Manager and County Engineer Robert Companion.
“The site grading, utility and drainage infrastructure, and major building structural elements have been completed,” he wrote in an email to the Record. “The FIFA regulation-size fields have been graded, and lighting installation is underway. The airnasium, restroom buildings, and amphitheater stage have been erected. The nature boardwalks are under construction.”
According to Companion, drying in structures, constructing the stargazing court, finishing boardwalks, and fine grading are underway at the park.
It will offer an amphitheater, an airnasium, “the tallest playground slide north of Orlando,” walking trails, nature boardwalks, and fishing ponds.
“The site boasts a rich natural landscape and native ecosystems, and the trails and boardwalks allow the public to interact and enjoy those natural resources responsibly,” Companion stated. “The fishing pond serves a dual purpose to treat any stormwater runoff at the site before making its way back into the natural environment, and provides an active recreation activity for freshwater anglers.”
According to Companion, the project is funded through a mixture of park and recreation impact fee dollars collected from new development, as well as state and federal grant dollars.
“The project has evolved over the course of the design, but the project is within the currently adopted budget for the project,” he said.
Next on the construction schedule is finishing the structures, adding lighting fixtures and plumbing, and paving operations on the parking areas and trails.
Companion said the county envisions a wide range of events, from festivals, sports tournaments, performances, concerts, and community events happening at the Westside Park.
“I am not able to speak for the West Side residents, but I hope it means additional access for all to sports, events, performances, and recreational activities that they may not currently have the opportunity to engage in. I hope it inspires an additional sense of community for westside residents,” Companion said. “I hope it evokes feelings of pride and excitement. Pride at the quality of the park the community has been able to bring online to the county’s park system and excitement at the multitude of fun recreation offerings.”
reporter@nassaucountyrecord.com