ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Orange Park residents gave their input on how they "reimagine" their town at a community input meeting Monday.
Alex Hawkins and his family have lived in Orange Park for 26 years. “We like living here. We'd love to see it more of a destination rather than just a place you pass through," he said.
He's just one of many Orange Park residents using their phones to give feedback on how they currently see their town and how they would like to see it in the future, with a town square in mind.
Hawkins is wanting a safe, walkable area that's attractive to people who live here and visitors.
"Having more of that walkability something that invites walking, biking, look friendly. It’s not friendly in this little corner of Florida. You don’t feel comfortable on a bike and often times you’re not comfortable walking unless it’s your neighborhood," said Hawkins.
“Just make it more attractive a center. Music food shops," he suggested, "A downtown where people will drive. Places where you can go park and do a lot of things.”
Larry Levis is with the Haskell Company, the full service design and construction firm conducting this plan.
Monday night, the company's planning and design collaborative presented tonight's presentation.
Levis said tonight's input from residents is just the first step in the planning process for Orange Park.
"We’re gonna be able to decimate all of that and figure out what does this town really want to be and what can it be," he said.
As the conversations continue this week, Hawkins is hoping to see more involvement.
"My biggest concern was getting more people here especially younger people in the community," said Hawkins.
You can still get involved and give and give your feedback all this week. For a full list of workshops happening this week, click here.