That’s a fair question—and an important one. St. Johns County tax dollars already fund the operation, maintenance, inspections, and management of the Bird Island Park Playground, and that will continue.

What this resident-led effort addresses is timing.

A local Ponte Vedra Beach resident is leading a peer-to-peer philanthropic campaign to update the Bird Island Park playground, raising $12,500 toward the $150,000 goal through voluntary community support. The playground is not scheduled for County replacement for nearly another decade under the standard capital cycle. Rather than wait, residents are choosing to privately fund new play equipment through philanthropy—accelerating an improvement while keeping the park fully public.

The St. Johns County Parks Foundation supports the effort as the project’s 501(c)(3) partner, providing a trusted donor platform and coordinating with St. Johns County Parks & Recreation to ensure project goals are met.

“The playground stays public, the County continues to care for it, and philanthropy allows neighbors to give back by refreshing the play equipment sooner for local families.” — Marithza Ross, Executive Director SJC Parks Foundation.

Community groups can participate by creating a fundraising team, supporting the resident’s campaign, or helping spread awareness—all in support of a park that serves families across Ponte Vedra Beach.