Once summer break is in full swing, St. Johns County parks become favorite spots for residents looking to have a good time, stay active, and connect with members of their community. Behind many of the improvements and programs that make those spaces enjoyable is the St. Johns County Parks Foundation.
The nonprofit organization works alongside St. Johns County Parks and Recreation to support projects, amenities and programs that may fall outside county budgets. While Parks and Recreation oversees the day-to-day operations of parks and facilities, the foundation serves as its philanthropic partner, helping bring additional resources to the park system through donations, sponsorships, and community support. The department’s reach extends across the county, managing 106 parks, 270 community programs, 126 athletic fields, 41 playgrounds and nine community centers.
“The foundation is a separate organization,” Executive Director Marithza Ross said. “We’re a 501(c)(3) and we’re nonprofit. Essentially our mission is to enhance access to the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation system, whether it’s their parks, programs, facilities, anything that they do.”
Since Ross joined the foundation in 2024, the organization has expanded its involvement with county programs and community projects. One of its most visible efforts has been the replacement of turf at Aberdeen Park’s all-abilities field, the Field of Dreams. Aberdeen Park is a 21-acre recreational facility with a fully inclusive ADA-accessible playground, multiple softball fields, and a baseball field built for children with cognitive and physical disabilities. When plans for the new turf were not included in the county’s renovation budget, the foundation launched a fundraising campaign to help move the project forward.
“We are able to essentially pay or fund, through donations, what the county budget cannot,” Ross said. “Where the county’s budget ends, we can come in and keep those upgrades.”
The foundation’s support extends beyond physical park improvements. In recent years, it has worked to enhance their signature events, including the annual “Just Tri It” Kids Triathlon and the Family Color Run 5K. Through sponsorships and donations, the foundation has helped keep registration costs affordable while expanding participation opportunities for local families.
According to Ross, participation in the Kids Triathlon has doubled since the foundation became involved. Additional funding allowed organizers to bring in a professional race manager and expand the event’s operations, creating space for more children to participate. The foundation has also helped support the Color Run by securing sponsorships that fund event materials, including participant T-shirts and race supplies. Those contributions help organizers continue to grow the events each year.
Another significant contribution came through the donation of the Greenbriar property, a 47-acre piece of land gifted to the foundation and designated specifically for recreational use. The foundation then transferred the property to the county park system, ensuring it will remain available for future public recreation.
The Greenbriar donation exemplifies how residents can directly support the park system beyond financial contributions. Residents can also get involved through volunteer opportunities and, in some cases, land donations that benefit the county’s park system. Ross said community involvement remains essential to the foundation’s mission. Volunteer efforts range from assisting at major events like the Color Run and Kids Triathlon to participating in park improvement projects throughout the year.
For the Kids Triathlon, volunteers help with race-day operations, water stations, and bike transitions. At the Color Run, volunteers assist with registration and event logistics. The foundation also coordinates volunteer projects with Parks and Recreation, including park cleanups, weed removal efforts, and beautification projects.
One recent example involved members of Leadership St. Johns, who partnered with the county to help clean and replant areas of Beluthahatchee Park. Ross describes the foundation as an enhancement to the county’s existing work rather than a replacement.
“The county does such a wonderful job of maintaining our parks,” Ross said. “I like to look at the foundation as the extras.”
For Ross, the work ultimately comes back to the role parks play in residents’ daily lives. Whether someone visits a playground, joins a sports team, trains for a race or spends time outdoors, public parks create opportunities that are accessible to everyone in the community.
“Parks are very personal,” Ross said. “And they’re personal to everyone because everybody has a different story and a different reason as to why their park is so important.”
She believes that accessibility is what makes public parks worth investing in. Unlike private facilities, public parks are open to all residents regardless of where they live or what resources they have available.
“It doesn’t matter what side of town you live on,” Ross said. “All our funds go back to the park system.” She said that this accessibility is what makes public parks worth investing in.
As St. Johns County celebrates Parks and Recreation Month this July, residents have even more opportunities to experience firsthand the parks and programs that the foundation helps support. The month-long celebration includes events such as Popsicles in the Park, Family Bingo Night, All Abilities Kayaking, Reel in the Fun – Kids’ Fishing Tournament, and a Putting Clinic at St. Johns Golf Club, encouraging residents of all ages to explore the county’s parks and recreation programs.
To learn more about the foundation, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support future projects, visit www.sjcpf.org.
