A nighttime photo of the new Dogwood Pavilion at Longwood Park
The new 5,000-square-foot Dogwood Pavilion at Gainesville’s Longwood Park is already booking up, thanks to the completion of extensive renovations this summer. Located along the shores of Lake Lanier, the 36-acre park is the most-reserved and -used recreation facility in the city.
During the summer the pavilion was leveled and rebuilt and includes new restrooms, outdoor grills, an adjacent modern kitchen building, seat walls and an outdoor fireplace.
“The Pavilion is already reserved every Saturday and Sunday through the end of November,” said Kate Mattison, director of Gainesville Parks & Recreation. “People are excited about all the improvements and changes, just in time for fall, and it shows in the number of positive comments we’re received.”
A brand-new playground was installed near the pavilion that’s seeing a great deal of use. “It’s kind of like an obstacle course and kids can start at one end and go through it,” she said. “With the pavilion, these are the two biggest improvements.”
The self-service kayak rental structure has been updated and relocated closer to the water.
The park’s Kayak Shack has been moved closer to the water and is open for rentals as long as water levels allow or until late October. Artist Mark Sundermeyer painted a mural on the front of the building and created the identifying sign for Dogwood Pavilion.
New walking paths bring visitors directly to the pavilion from the parking lot. ADA parking has been improved with a larger turnaround, and the parking lots have been repaved.
“Longwood Park is absolutely fabulous and such an improvement,” Mattison said. “It has really become a showplace for outdoor recreation here in Gainesville.”
For more information, call Gainesville Parks & Recreation at 770 531-2680 or visit gainesville.org/365/parks.
Photo: courtesy City of Gainesville
