GNV News

Upcoming Week at a Glance

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

July 9: Food Trucks at Cornerstone

July 10: Free Fridays concert

July 10: Teen Midnight Basketball

July 13: Annual Action Plan public hearing

Annual Action Plan Public Hearings (July 13 and 16)

The Housing & Community Development Department is hosting two public meetings to solicit input on the City of Gainesville's 2026-2027 Draft Annual Action Plan. The Annual Action Plan serves as an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. Join us to discuss the Annual Action Plan process and to provide input on Gainesville's most pressing needs.

Monday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m.

Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development meeting

Thomas Center, 306 NE Sixth Ave.

Thursday, July 16

City Commission meeting

City Hall Auditorium, 200 E. University Ave.

Draft documents are available for review online. To submit comments, email COGHousing@GainesvilleFL.gov no later than Tuesday, July 21, 2026.   

Month-long celebration highlights the impact of parks and recreation and culture

July is recognized as Parks, Recreation and Culture Month nationally and in Gainesville, Florida. Our Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is a daily example of what celebrating nature and culture truly means, managing over 3,200 acres of parks, natural areas and community centers, all designed to enrich lives through health, well-being, equity, conservation and culture. This month, we're celebrating how Gainesville’s commitment to inclusive recreation and cultural expression helps build a healthier, more connected, and more inspired community. After all, parks and cultural spaces aren’t just amenities—they’re the heartbeat of a thriving city.

Celebrate with us this month:

• July 10: Free Fridays concert (MusicGNV Live & Local Showcase)
• July 10: Teen Midnight Basketball
• July 17: GPD Poster Exhibition opening
• July 17: Free Fridays concert (A.Sunroom, Lowly Worm & The Fantastic Beverages, Varsity Tuba Quartet)
• July 18: Free pool day for kids
• July 24: Free Fridays concert (Pet Detectives – ‘90s covers)

Free summer meals for children 0-18

The Free Summer Meals program provides free, nutritious meals to kids and teens 18 years old and under during the summer break (June 8-July 24). No registration is required. Students do not have to be enrolled at a location to participate, and the program is open to any child regardless of family income. For details on free meal sites and serving dates and times, please call 352-955-7539 or visit www.yourchoicefresh.com and search for the summer meal program.

Beat the Heat Coloring Book

The City of Gainesville has a new heat safety coloring book available for download and printing.

This resource helps children learn how to stay safe in hot weather. It includes simple tips on recognizing heat-related illness, staying cool and helping others stay safe.

The coloring book is designed for easy use by parents, caregivers, schools and camps and helps children better understand how to prevent heat illness and stay prepared during periods of high heat.

Register for Summer and Fall Programs

Summer Swim Lessons

Registration for summer swim lessons 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 - next game is Friday, July 10

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!

Pop Warner Football and Cheer

Pop Warner seeks to provide fun athletic learning opportunities for children, while emphasizing the importance of academic success. Pop Warner familiarizes players and spirit participants with the fundamentals of football, cheerleading and dance. Registration is open.

After-School Program

The After-School Program provides children and youth in grades 1 through 8 with a safe and engaging environment, which incorporates hands-on activities. Registration is open.

Out of School Days

Out of School Days provides children and youth in grades 1 through 8 with a safe and engaging environment, which incorporates hands-on activities. Registration is open.

Other Upcoming Events

• July 16: Annual Action Plan public hearing
• July 16: Food Trucks at Cornerstone
• July 17: GPD Poster Exhibition opening
• July 17: Free Fridays concert
• July 18: Free pool day for kids
• July 22: GFR Station #3 groundbreaking
• July 23: Food Trucks at Cornerstone
• July 24: Free Fridays concert
• July 31: GFR Station #9 groundbreaking
• July 31: Business Matchmaker
• Aug. 1: Decade at Depot Park
• Aug. 2: Perspectives in the Park
• Aug. 7: Teen Midnight Basketball

Gainesville Zero Waste News

Happy Plastic Free July!

This month, we’re joining millions around the world in reducing single-use plastics. Our combined effort makes a difference. Are you ready for the challenge? Commit to reducing or eliminating single-use plastics for a day, a week, the whole month or from now on. There are plenty of easy ways to start.

Where to Start?

• Sign the pledge at plasticfreejuly.org
• Identify where you use single-use plastics in your daily life and seek alternatives
• Learn about the impacts of plastic pollution on human and environmental health

A great first step is focusing on plastics that cannot be recycled in the Gainesville area. These include items like Solo cups, Styrofoam, restaurant and supermarket clamshell containers (such as strawberry boxes or bakery clamshells), to-go coffee cup lids, and plastic utensils. These items go straight to the landfill. Learn more at gainesvillefl.gov/wastewizard.

How can you reduce these plastics from your life?

• Bring reusable cups and utensils when grabbing food to-go. Thrift stores often carry affordable, secondhand options for cutlery and reusable cups.
• When dining out, bring your own container for leftovers.
• Support local businesses that use paper or compostable to-go containers. Try to avoid places that rely on Styrofoam or plastic. If you do end up with a plastic to-go container, consider politely letting the manager know you prefer more sustainable options to help encourage change.

Change takes time, and new habits can feel challenging at first. The world around us is full of convenience plastics, but with practice, each small step becomes easier. The more people who participate, the greater the impact we can make. Together, we can reduce plastic pollution and create a healthier community for everyone.

New GNV On The Move

GNV On The Move is a half-hour look at the City of Gainesville's initiatives, programs, events and people.

In this episode, we have conversations with Gainesville Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Hillhouse and Deputy Chief David Sutton.

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