GNV News

Upcoming Week at a Glance

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

March 25: Barnyard Buddies

March 26: Food Trucks at Cornerstone

March 27: Downtown Spring Market Series

March 28: Downtown Spring Market Series

March 29: Downtown Spring Market Series

March 29: Revolutionary America - Tea for Felicity (America250 event)

March 31: Eco Buddies

March 31: Vision Zero Open House

Assistant Police Chief Finalists Meet and Greet - April 7

Join us for a meet and greet Tuesday, April 7 to meet the three finalists for the assistant police chief.

This is an opportunity to hear from each candidate, ask questions and learn about their vision for the department. Interested members of the public encouraged to take part in this important process and help welcome the candidates to Gainesville.

The meet and greet is Tuesday, April 7, from 5:30-7 p.m. at GPD's Hall of Heroes (545 NW Eighth Ave.). Light refreshments will be served.

Ironwood Golf Course Update



Following a transitional year with a contracted concessionaire, the city is scheduled to resume operating the food service at Ironwood Golf Course this spring. Beginning on April 1, the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will take over management of the golf course’s clubhouse and bar in a reduced capacity. Guests may notice this change, which is expected to extend through the end of the fiscal year.

Multiuse Sixth Street Rail-Trail now closed; detours in place during construction



Construction of a new building on the Gainesville Police Department campus is underway. As part of the project, a section of the Sixth Street Rail-Trail is now closed.

The trail closed as of March 17 and will remain closed for an extended period during construction of the GPD Property and Evidence Building.

Trail users traveling north will be detoured west on NW Eighth Avenue and north on NW Sixth Street. Those traveling south will be detoured south on NW Sixth Street and east on NW Eighth Avenue.

RTS Plus paratransit service now available and booking

The City of Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) began ADA paratransit service, known as RTS Plus, in Gainesville on March 1. Ride scheduling is open, and booking can be made up to two weeks in advance. The hours of service are:

• Weekdays: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Saturdays: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sundays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

There are three easy ways to book a ride with RTS Plus:

• Phone: Call 352-393-RIDE (7433) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• App: Use the rtsplus app (Apple or Android)
• Website: https://rtsplus.app.ridewithvia.com

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!

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.

City Hall Plaza Refresh Project Updates

The City Hall Plaza Refresh Project is expected to continue through April 2026, with the King Memorial Gardens expected to be complete or substantially complete in January. This week’s project highlights are:

• Work continues on the Sister Cities Garden stadium seating.
• The concrete base is being installed ahead of the final pavers.
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) plaza lighting and electrical work is significantly complete.
• Work continues on the rainbow brick memorial section.

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 begin March 31

Registration for spring swim lessons open!

• Session 1 at Hunter Pool (April 1-24) for Pre-School Level 1-Adult
• Session 2 at Cherry Pool (April 29-May 23) for Pre-School Level 1-Adult

Earth Academy Day Camp

Registration for this nature-based summer camp is open.

• Session 1: June 8-12
• Session 2: June 15-18
• Session 3: June 22-26
• Session 4: July 13-17
• Session 5: July 20-24

Other Upcoming Events

• April 3: Free Fridays concert
• April 4: Living History Saturday
• April 4: Asian Festival
• April 4: On Sight film premiere
• April 5: Perspectives in the Park
• April 9: Bilingual Story Time
• April 9: Science-Oriented Activities and Recreation
• April 17: Farm and Forest Friends
• April 18: Caregiver's Festival

Gainesville Zero Waste News

Zero Waste Week

Zero Waste Week is a week of activities, events and gatherings designed to continue the education and outreach about zero waste in Gainesville and Alachua County. It’s a week packed with fun, education and hopefully empowerment for you and your family. Check out the awesome schedule of events!

Sunday, March 29

Keep Alachua County Beautiful Cleanup

9-11 a.m. at Lincoln Park (924 SE 15th St.)


COG Day Afternoon

11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Loosey’s Downtown (120 SW First Ave.)


Confronting Clutter Workshop

3-4 p.m. at Cypress and Grove (1001 NW Fourth St.)

Monday, March 30

Grove Street Farmers Market

3-4 p.m. at Cypress and Grove (1001 NW Fourth St.)

Join the City of Gainesville’s Zero Waste Initiative Team and Life Unplastic for tabling, education and free reusable produce bags!

Tuesday, March 31

Zero Waste Week Book Club: Garbology

6-8 p.m. at Cypress and Grove (1001 NW Fourth St.)

Wednesday, April 1

Leveda Brown Environmental Park Tour

9 a.m. at 5115 NE 63rd Ave.

Thursday, April 2

Beginning Gardening Workshop

6-7 p.m. at Gainesville Giving Garden (225 NW 12th Ave.)

Friday, April 3

Composting Orientation

5 p.m. at UF Energy Research and Education Park (2610 SW 23rd Terrace)

Saturday, April 4

Fixit Clinic at Gainesville Hackerspace

11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 4101 NW Sixth St.


Clothing Swap

1 p.m. at Repurpose Project (1920 NE 23rd Ave.)

Gainesville History Moment: African American Farmers

The Gainesville City Commission hosts the Gainesville History Moment as a feature of its regular meetings.

In this installment from June 6, 2024, local historian Mangye Vivian Filer reflects on the history of African American farmers in the Gainesville area.

City Commission Meetings

• Thursday, March 26: City Commission special 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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