kirkwood
Integrating Nature and Culture: The Gainesville Neighborhood of Kirkwood
A landscape of rolling hills, winding roads, and small ponds shaded by towering pines and giant oaks is the setting for the historic neighborhood of Kirkwood. Named after George Grier Kirkpatrick (father of State Senator George Grier Kirkpatrick Jr.), a local developer and builder, the neighborhood was established in the WWII period and now includes over 70 single-family homes on expansive multi-acre lots, some so lush that the foliage frequently obscures them. Reflective of the mid-century, Kirkwood homes seem to sprawl forever, with interesting design features including low roof lines, floor to ceiling windows, and prominent car ports. Many are built of Ocala block, a kind of concrete masonry made out of limestone that was a popular building material in north central Florida during the mid-century. Unpainted, the limestone gives homes an austere, minimalist look that, combined with mid-century design features, and a Florida landscaping of azaleas, cycads, and native palms often make homes disappear into the landscape. Kirkwood homes can often be dramatic, and are commonly featured in the spring “Mid-Century Modern Home Tours,” sponsored by Gainesville Modern, an organization founded with the dream of “preserving the architectural heritage of Gainesville, before it was altogether forgotten.” (https://www.gainesvillemodern.org/about)
Kirkwood’s geographic location also gives it the special distinction of integrating nature with culture, two of the dominant attractions of north central Florida. Located in the southwest quadrant of the city, between Southeast 16th Ave, South Main, and Southwest 13th Street, Kirkwood has close proximity to Gainesville’s cultural destination hot spots. On its northwestern edge, it is within walking distance of Depot Park, the Cade Museum, and Heartwood Soundstage, as well as the downtown and the entertainment district full of restaurants, cafés and city nightlife; and on its northeastern edge it is within walking distance to the University of Florida and especially UF Health and Shands, making it an especially convenient place to live for its employees, many of whom walk or ride their bike to campus. But it is on its southern edge that grades into some of the region’s world-class natural attractions that Kirkwood becomes very distinct. Adjoining Biven’s Arm Nature Park, the southern end of the neighborhood is also within walking distance of Sweetwater Wetlands Park, and thence the nature trails leading to Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park. Kirkwood is thus situated in a premiere wildlife corridor that is a stopping point, as well as home not just to migratory birds, and native bobcat, but also the occasional black bear making its way from Ocala National Forest. With its narrow lanes shaded by a towering canopy of trees, that connect nature with culture the neighborhood is therefore very popular with walkers, joggers, bicyclists and visitors from other neighborhoods and UF looking for a scenic experience right in central Gainesville.
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