Lem Merritt Park

Lem Merrett Park is located on Ellis Road in west Jacksonville, Florida, between Ramona and Verna Boulevards. The park has an interesting history, with a portion of it originally serving as a playground for the adjacent Ramona Boulevard Elementary School, which was built in 1951-52. In 1957, Duval County leased the site and purchased an additional two acres to expand the park. Following the consolidation of city and county governments in 1968, the City of Jacksonville took over management of the facility.

The park is named after Willis Lem Merrett (1919-1978), who served as the Duval County Commissioner for the district from 1961 until 1968. Between 1988 and 1997, the park underwent significant improvements, largely due to the efforts of Cary "Red" Lyda (1919-2000), a local resident who took a keen interest in the community's children. Lyda established a park association, secured private donations, and oversaw various City improvement projects.

Currently, the School Board and the City have a joint-use agreement for the facility, allowing for shared use of the park's resources. Lem Merrett Park serves as a valuable community space, offering various recreational facilities for residents of west Jacksonville.