The Duck Pond- A Picture of Community

I internally discovered history, pride, and culture on October 24th, 2015. Situated between NW 8th avenue to the north, University avenue to the south, Main street to the east, and NW 6th street to the west lies a historic neighborhood nicknamed the Duck Pond. The neighborhood has a distinction amongst all other neighborhoods in the city of Gainesville, Florida. The different amounts and types of people, as well as the architecture of the buildings, all reflect the metamorphosis of the Duck Pond through time’s grandeur.

My discovery of the area began at roughly mid-day. I had planned to meet up with some companions; however, I was lost. Fortunately, my bewilderment gave me an ample opportunity to simply drive around the neighborhood. Immediately, I had noticed that the neighborhood had unusually large trees, and it was almost as if the trees wanted to reminisce their own pasts with me. I was agreed greeted as well by the infusion of diverse architectural styles. Finally, I had found my peers; they were feeding the ducks in the actual duck pond. After I had exchanged a few greetings amongst my peers, I suggested that we should all start walking around the neighborhood.

As we were strolling through the historic neighborhood, we noticed a man walking his own dog, and then soon after we saw the man, we witnessed a woman walking her own dog. The people of the neighborhood seemed serene and peaceful. Later on, we walked towards the downtown of Gainesville. We passed a park that had families playing with their own children. In the downtown, there was a gay-pride festival. The people in the festival and in downtown in general seemed like a family, even though none of them probably knew each other. The people that inhabit the Duck Pond and downtown seemed closely connected amongst one another, almost as if there was an invisible web enveloping the neighborhood.

We continued our walk through the historic Duck Pond. Once again, I took notice in the architecture of the area. Next to the actual duck pond were two houses: one of them was a Victorian style brick house, the other was a contemporary-wood style house. Sharper contrasts followed, with houses resembling classical, Greek, modern, and retro styles. One house in particular in the neighborhood had two pillars supporting the front of the house. I felt the presence of the civil war, the industrial age, World War II, and the booming 70’s. I felt the presence of professors, engineers, activists, workers, and farmers. The neighborhood resembled a family reunion, except this family reunion lasts forever.

The Duck Pond overall speaks the truth about the true nature of Gainesville, Florida. Gainesville is not just a college town that gets activated each time the University of Florida plays. Instead, the city of Gainesville is a mixture of old and new, modern and historic. The people of Gainesville strive towards betterment of the community, but at the same time, the people of Gainesville strive towards the protection of the culture and of the past. In a resembling sense, the city of Gainesville is a moniker for the good life. There is a perfect blend of modernistic and historical contexts.