Hilliard's Westside Regional Park Wins Statewide Planning Award

Nassau County's newest regional park has earned statewide recognition for a planning approach that balances competitive athletics, family recreation, and environmental preservation on a single 107-acre site in Hilliard.

The Florida Planning & Zoning Association presented its "Before Its Time/Stood the Test of Time Award" to Westside Regional Park during the organization's awards banquet Nov. 5. Nassau County Planning Director Elizabeth Backe and Regional Parks Manager Levi Welling accepted the award, which recognizes forward-thinking projects that reflect comprehensive approaches to recreation, environmental stewardship, and community planning.

What's happening

Westside Regional Park opened to the public in June 2026 after a groundbreaking in 2022 and several years of construction. The park sits on 107 acres in Hilliard and welcomed approximately 2,500 visitors during its grand opening celebration.

The facility includes three competition-size athletic fields, a 10,000-square-foot covered multi-use athletic court called the Airnasium, a nature-themed playground, a dog park, an amphitheater and event lawn, a fishing lake, scenic trails, and a dedicated stargazing area. The design also incorporates preserved natural habitats, elevated boardwalks, and opportunities for wildlife observation and environmental education.

The project reflects priorities identified through Nassau County's Vision 2050 initiative and the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Visioning Plan, according to county officials. The park was included in the County's Parks and Recreation Open Space Master Plan before breaking ground.

"Westside Regional Park is a wonderful example of what thoughtful planning and investment can bring to a community," said Nassau County Board of County Commissioners Chairperson Alyson R. McCullough. "It provides residents with opportunities to stay active, connect with one another and enjoy the outdoors, while also preserving the natural spaces and wildlife that make western Nassau County so special. "

Youth sports organizations have provided positive feedback on the athletic fields, county officials said. The park's rental facilities are often booked for birthday parties, private gatherings, and community functions. The Airnasium and the nature-themed playground have become popular destinations since opening.

Filling a recreation gap in western Nassau

The park represents a significant public-space investment in the western portion of Nassau County, an area that has historically had fewer large-scale recreational amenities compared to the more developed A1A and SR 200 corridors closer to the coast. Hilliard sits in the county's inland western edge, near the Baker County line, along US 1.

Western Nassau has seen steady residential growth as families seek more affordable land and larger lots, but infrastructure and community amenities in the area have lagged behind the pace of housing development. Projects like Westside Regional Park are part of the county's effort to build out services and quality-of-life infrastructure in step with the expanding population.

The park's multi-generational design—competition fields for organized sports leagues, family-oriented playgrounds and picnic areas, passive trails for hikers and nature enthusiasts, and event spaces for community gatherings—reflects a planning strategy intended to serve a broad cross-section of western Nassau residents without requiring them to drive toward the coast or to Yulee for recreation.

For families moving into new subdivisions in the Hilliard and Callahan areas, proximity to parks and recreational programming can be a significant factor in choosing where to settle. The availability of competition athletic fields also matters to youth sports organizations that schedule tournaments and league play; facilities of this type can draw teams from surrounding counties, generating modest economic activity through overnight stays and dining.

Environmental stewardship and growth planning

The Florida Planning & Zoning Association's award highlights the park's integration of environmental preservation alongside active recreation. Western Nassau County contains significant natural habitats, including wetlands, pine flatwoods, and wildlife corridors that connect to larger conservation areas in Baker County and the Okefenokee ecosystem to the north.

By dedicating portions of the 107-acre site to preserved natural areas and incorporating elevated boardwalks and wildlife observation zones, the county's design acknowledges the ecological value of the land while still providing the athletic fields and event spaces that residents seek. This dual-use approach is increasingly common in Florida park planning, particularly in fast-growing counties where undeveloped land is being converted to residential and commercial use at a rapid pace.

Preserving habitat within a heavily used public park also creates opportunities for environmental education. Trails, interpretive signage, and observation areas can introduce residents—especially children—to the region's ecology in a controlled, accessible setting. For a county experiencing growth pressures, fostering an understanding of local ecosystems can inform public attitudes toward broader land-use and conservation decisions.

The Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Visioning Plan, referenced in county materials, suggests that officials are attempting to balance growth with the character and environmental assets that define the western part of the county. Public parks that combine development with habitat protection can serve as visible demonstrations of that balance.

What the award signals about Nassau's planning approach

The "Before Its Time/Stood the Test of Time Award" is given to projects that demonstrate planning foresight—designs that anticipate future community needs and incorporate principles likely to remain relevant over decades. For a park that opened just five months ago, the "Before Its Time" framing suggests the Florida Planning & Zoning Association sees the project's comprehensive design as a model for other growing counties.

Nassau County's planning decisions are being closely watched across Northeast Florida as the county continues to experience some of the region's fastest growth. The success or failure of projects like Westside Regional Park—measured by resident use, maintenance costs, programming activity, and community satisfaction—will influence how other local governments approach large-scale public amenities in areas undergoing rapid residential development.

The park's strong early usage numbers, including 2,500 visitors at the grand opening and consistent bookings for the Airnasium and rental facilities, indicate initial demand is robust. Whether that activity level is sustained, and whether the park becomes a true community anchor for western Nassau, will depend on ongoing programming, maintenance funding, and how well the facility adapts to the needs of a growing and changing population.

Infrastructure projects that receive third-party recognition can also enhance a county's profile when seeking state and federal grant funding for future projects. Awards from professional planning associations signal that a jurisdiction is adopting best practices and producing outcomes that peer reviewers consider worth replicating.

What happens next

Westside Regional Park is fully open and operational. The county continues to accept reservations for the park's rental facilities, including the Airnasium, amphitheater, and event spaces. Information on amenities, hours, and rental opportunities is available at www. nassaucountyfl. com.

The park's long-term success will hinge on Nassau County's ability to maintain the facility, fund programming, and adapt offerings as the surrounding community grows. Athletic field maintenance, playground equipment upkeep, trail management, and habitat stewardship all require sustained operational budgets beyond the initial capital investment.

For western Nassau residents, Westside Regional Park represents a tangible return on public investment in an area that has historically received less infrastructure attention than the county's coastal communities. As Nassau continues to add thousands of new residents each year—many settling in inland areas like Hilliard, Callahan, and along the US 1 corridor—the demand for parks, recreation, and gathering spaces will only grow. How well this park and future projects serve that demand will shape quality of life and community cohesion across one of Northeast Florida's fastest-changing counties.