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Treaty Oak at Jessie Ball duPont Park
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The Treaty Oak stands majestically at Jessie Ball duPont
Park,
only five minutes from the heart of downtown Jacksonville. At only
seven acres, this is thesmallest of our nature parks, but the spreading
grandeur of this single specimen of Quercus Virginiana or live oak
warrants such a designation. The small park contains paved walk paths,
benches, and informational plaques. The Treaty Oak is a favorite
noontime refuge for office workers on the south side of the St. Johns
River, and its noble branches have provided countless hours of play for
generations of young people. The land was purchased by the duPont family
in the 1930s and given to the city in 1964 with the stipulation that it
would always be a park. Although local lore places a treaty signing
between Native Americans and European settlers under the spreading
branches, it is unlikely such an event occurred. The stately Treaty Oak
is approximately 180 y ears
old, has a circumference of 25 feet, and reaches more than 70 feet into
the blue Florida sky. In 1986 the Jacksonville Electric Authority
implemented an important preservation program which grows seedlings from
Treaty Oak acorns and makes them available through Greenscape for
replanting throughout Jacksonville. Since the program began, hundreds
of seedlings have been transplanted, ensuring the legacy of this regal
Jacksonville landmark.
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1123 Prudential Drive
Park hours: 5 AM - 10 PM |
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