The Story of Depot Park

The concept of repurposing. It is a concept that is nothing new to the human species and it is coming back stronger than ever. Picture the early 1900s, a large plot of land that served the purpose of the community's "railroad depot". Home to a cement plant, manufactured gas plant (MGP), petroleum tank farms and heavily industrialized railroad activity. Now, picture all the consequences that result from these sources of contamination.

By the 1990s, it was estimated that this rail yard located in Gainesville, FL was housing 147,000 tons of contaminated soils and more than 40 million gallons of contaminated water. In 1997 it was brought to the public's attention and the EPA awarded the City of Gainesville a Brownfield Pilot Project Grant allowing the city to start developing a plan to clean up the brownfield. In the year 2000, a Remedial Action Plan was put into place and Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) began the excavation of the site. The contaminated soil was removed and the water was treated and relocated.

Twelve years later, The Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) came together and began repurposing the old rail yard into a park that children and families of all ages could come together to enjoy. Now, what is so special about Depot Park is that its identity still remains. As you go and visit, you are accompanied by the site of old railroad tracks and a restored Historic Train Station- home to a trendy hangout called "Pop-a-Top Corner Store."

Depot Park is now one of Gainesville's most prized possessions. It is a project that has brought together a community through history and reinvention.

Projects like Depot Park are becoming more and more common as people are beginning to fight to repair the brownfield in their areas. It is important to support Sustainable Development projects like these not only for the good of our environment but for the success of our communities. For more information on Depot Park and the events that they host, please visit http://www.depotpark.org.