Placemaking Jacksonville: Brooklyn Park
A STEAM-Inspired Placemaking Project in Downtown Jacksonville.
Placemaking is all about creating and activating key locations in the urban core for people to participate and engage in. A STEAM-inspired basketball court in Downtown Jacksonville was our approach to connect people of all ages to the energy that is vibrating throughout downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Painted by local muralist Mary Joan Hinson, the basketball court embodies artistic expression through geometric shapes, creating a sense of movement while emphasizing STEAM as an area of interest as the community uses this space for years to come.
We partnered with the Nassau Pride ABA Professional Basketball Team to transform and activate the court in Brooklyn Park, bringing local athletes downtown to play and engage with the community. Upon completion, the foundation, alongside Councilman Jimmy Peluso, the duPont Foundation, and City leadership hosted a grand unveiling event to reintroduce the court as a public asset rather than an eyesore. The event welcomed the community and was filled with family-friendly entertainment, celebration, and connection.
Art as Infrastructure
Public art is more than visual enhancement—it is infrastructure for engagement.
The STEAM-inspired court transforms Brooklyn Park into an interactive, open-air classroom where creativity, movement, and learning coexist. Its design invites curiosity, sparks conversation, and provides a daily reminder that art and education belong in shared civic spaces.
By commissioning a local artist and centering STEAM themes, the project reinforces the importance of local talent, innovation, and long-term community relevance.
