Duval County

Jacksonville City Council approves the renaming of Hemming Park

Jacksonville, Fla. — In a 16-2 vote, the council approved to change the name to James Weldon Johnson Park.

Councilmember Garrett Dennis introduced legislation in June to rename the park after civil rights icon James Weldon Johnson

His push came after the city removed the confederate soldier statue from the park on the orders of Mayor Lenny Curry

Councilman Danny Becton suggested calling it Veterans Memorial Park.

As a compromise, Council Member Rory Diamond suggested renaming the park after Johnson and include an area called the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza.

But in the end, he voted to name the entire park after Johnson.

He says this is great for Jacksonville.