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Grand Opening of Gills Creek Memorial Park

Gills Creek

The city is thrilled to welcome the community to our newest premier park located at 24 Forest Lake Place.

The Grand Opening of Gills Creek Memorial Park will be held Thursday, April 18 from 5 -8 p.m.

Grand Opening Details

The community can drop-in to the Grand Opening Event to enjoy music from The Reggie Sullivan Band plus dinner, drinks and sweets from several local vendors ready to serve up a memorable time under the string lights at Gills Creek!

  • Boca Grande Burritos (offering tacos + chips, salsa)
  • Schiano's Pizza (offering cheese + pepperoni pizza)
  • Billy G's BBQ (offering their signature BBQ)
  • Crumbl Cookies
  • Chillin Cow Ice Cream Truck
  • Margarita Man (Offering margaritas, beer, wine, sodas + waters)

The making of Gills Creek Memorial Park

Gills Creek Memorial Park represents a rebirth along our urban waterway, Gills Creek. 

The property was flooded in the 2015 Thousand Year Flood destroying several local businesses that overlooked the creek. Private property owners donated the flood-prone land to the city in hopes of one day seeing it become a community asset.

Over the next decade, city leadership and three different city councils embarked on a quest to bring vibrancy back to the area. The park features a large boardwalk overlooking the spillway, a unique spot for the community to gather and enjoy nature right in the heart of downtown Forest Acres. The park also has a green space, a splash pad, a small performing stage for acoustic performances, and a fallen police officer memorial that honors the sacrifice made by Officers Richey O'Brian Finch (EOW 1974)  and Gregory Thomas Alia (EOW 2015).

The site was formerly home to the FAPD and City Hall so it's a fitting spot to remember two young men who had their whole lives ahead of them when they courageously sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to serve and protect Forest Acres.