GNV News

Upcoming Week at a Glance

Click through for more information on each event or search below for featured event articles.

April 15: Barnyard Buddies

April 16: Food Trucks at Cornerstone

April 16: Managing Your Business by the Numbers

April 17: Farm and Forest Friends

April 17: Free Fridays concert

April 18: Josefina’s Gift (America250 event)

April 18: Caregiver's Festival

April 21: Healthy Afternoons: Support not Stigma

April 21: Eco Buddies

April 22: Earth Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway

April 22: Barnyard Buddies

Grant applications open for cultural non-profit organizations

Applications are now open for local nonprofits to apply for the Outside Agency Grant. The purpose of the Outside Agency Grant is to provide general operational support to cultural non-profit organizations that are located within the city limits of Gainesville, Florida. Applications are due by 5 p.m. EST on May 1, 2026. Please note that budget decisions may affect funding availability. Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply. Questions? Email prcagrants@GainesvilleFL.gov for assistance.

Local Water Quality Survey

Uppercase Research is conducting a survey on behalf of the City of Gainesville and Alachua County regarding local water quality. Your responses are anonymous and will help us plan projects and programs. Five randomly selected participants will receive $50 for their participation from Uppercase Research. Entry information is located at the end of the survey. The survey takes 6-8 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation!

City Hall Plaza Refresh Project Updates

The City Hall Plaza Refresh Project is expected to continue through April 2026. This week’s project highlights are:

• All of the pavers have been installed, including the repurposed rainbow bricks.
• The electrical work is substantially complete, with crews working on uplighting for the flagpole.
• Final landscaping is being installed throughout the plaza.
• The historical monuments have been reinstalled.
• The contract for the RTS bus shelter is being developed.

Family Friendly Programs

Weekly programs:

Barnyard Buddies: Meet and learn about the farm animals at Morningside on Wednesdays at 3 p.m., September through May.

Eco Buddies: Join us at Hogtown Creek Nature Center and learn through play about the wonderful world of nature all around us with rotating weekly themes! Recommended for toddlers-preschoolers. Held Tuesdays, January-May at 3 p.m. (small fee per child)

Monthly programs:

Farm and Forest Friends: Venture through the woods and onto the farm as we learn and explore! One Friday each month from 10-11 a.m., October through May. (small fee per child)

Living History Farm: The Living History Farm at Morningside comes to life with costumed living history guides on the first Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., September through May.

SOAR - Science-Oriented Activities and Recreation: Kids age 5-12 join the fun and learn about their surroundings through hands-on activities. Held the second Thursday from 3:30-4:30 p.m., September-May.

Register for Spring and Summer Programs

Lifeguard Certification Continues

Want a rewarding and fun summer job? Get certified as a professional American Red Cross Lifeguard! To prepare future lifeguards, the City of Gainesville is holding lifeguard certification classes this summer for those age 15 and up. There are six sessions (each with five lessons) to choose from; the final session begins May 27.

Spring Swim Lessons

Registration for spring swim lessons open!

• Session 2 at Cherry Pool (April 29-May 23) for Pre-School Level 1-Adult

Earth Academy Day Camp (rising 1st-5th graders)

Registration for this nature-based summer camp is open.

Adventures in Play Summer Day Camp (rising 1st-5th graders)

The Adventures in Play summer camp will keep young kids busy during the day with a host of fun and enriching activities.

Teen Midnight Basketball

Teen Midnight Basketball offers monthly athletic opportunities for kids age 11-18 during late night, weekend hours when they might otherwise be involved in unsupervised activities. This program is held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center. 

Teen Life Summer Day Camp

Registration for this middle school-aged summer camp is open! There are eight one-week sessions with something to interest everyone!

Summer Hoops

Registration for Summer Hoops opens April 27 for kids in 6th-8th grade! The courts are calling for a summer of fun and competition! Come join our coed basketball program! Build character and leadership by “Pursuing Victory with Honor” for life skills to use on and off the court. Summer Hoops is about fairness and respect for all players, regardless of skill.

Other Upcoming Events

• April 24: Groundbreaking for GPD’s Property and Evidence Building
• April 24: Downtown Spring Market Series
• April 25: Downtown Spring Market Series
• April 26: Downtown Spring Market Series
• May 8: City Hall Plaza Ribbon-Cutting
• May 1: Downtown Spring Market Series
• May 2: Living History Saturday
• May 2: Pioneer America (America250 event)
• May 2: Downtown Spring Market Series
• May 3: Perspectives in the Park
• May 3: Downtown Spring Market Series
• May 14: Bilingual Story Time
• May 14: Science-Oriented Activities and Recreation

Gainesville Zero Waste News

Getting Ready for the Great American Cleanup

Spring cleaning at home can be seen as a chore, but group cleanups are always a blast!



Reach out to a friend, sign up with Keep Alachua County Beautiful, and get ready to reinvigorate the area as you participate in America’s largest cleanup event: The Great American Cleanup 2026.

There are many sources of litter – overflowing trash cans, poorly tied bags, rain and people. You alone can’t change all of that in one day, but you can make a huge difference by getting out there, donning your nifty reflective vest, and showing your appreciation for our earth.

When: Saturday, April 25, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: contact Keep Alachua County Beautiful for details

What: Great American Cleanup, followed by volunteer appreciation

It’s not too late to sign up for this cleanup and celebrate earth month with acts of service!

Downtown Parking Options

With construction starting at The Streatery, we wanted to remind you of the various parking options that are located ion downtown Gainesville.

This video gives an overview of your parking options, making your visit for dining, shopping, events and more a breeze!

City Commission Meetings

• Thursday, April 16: City Commission meeting

For a listing of other board/committee meetings and agendas, please visit our website.

Live meeting coverage is available on Cox Cable Channel 12, Roku TV, Fire TV and the City of Gainesville website.

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