Location: 408 10th Street
Hours: 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
Admission: Entrance to Park is Free
Originally named Ken Schadow Veterans Park, Centennial Park is most famous for its eagles. A bald eagle's nest has been seen on a pine tree on the west side of Centennial Park, where they’ve lived for years. The eagles even rebuilt their nest after Hurricane Matthew. Centennial Park is one of our newest parks and was developed as a stormwater retention lake on the southeast canal system. It is a seven (7) acre park with five (5) acres of lake forming Helen Hadley Lake.
Public Works employees have the closest view of the nest from a two-story building in proximity to the tree. A decent view also can be had from the park near the entrance to the bridge. The city closed the bridge to prevent people from getting too close to the nest and disturbing it.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
- Eagles are social outside of nesting season, but during nesting season they are known to be territorial.
- Nesting season for eagles runs from Oct. 1 through May 15.
- The birds typically build their nests on the edges of their habitat where they can clearly see the terrain. They also choose large living trees that can support a big nest. Pine trees are a popular choice for eagles.
- A nest is usually built within 1.8 miles of water.
- Eggs are laid mostly in December or January and the incubation period for eggs is about 35 days.
Park Rentals:
Contact Utility Billing at (386) 248-9432.
- Park hours are from 6AM-10PM
- 25 person capacity for small pavilion, 50 person capacity for large pavilion
- No bounce houses, electricity, pony rides, smoking, alcohol, skateboards or bicycles
- Renters are welcome to use the grills
- There are no refunds regardless of weather.
- If any rules are violated, deposit will be forfeited