Fernandina wins $50,000 T-Mobile grant for waterfront playground

The city of Fernandina Beach has been awarded a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant to help build a new children’s play structure at the city’s upcoming waterfront park in Historic Downtown.

The project, called Climb Fernandina, is designed to reflect the city’s unique history as the birthplace of modern shrimping and home to Florida’s first railroad. It will feature interactive, safe play elements along with seating for parents and caregivers.

“This children’s play feature will be a delightful addition to the city of Fernandina Beach’s new riverfront improvements,” said Robert Martyn, General Manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front. “With this structure in place, families will linger longer, creating a sense of family, community, and place.”

The playground aims to transform part of the park from a passive area into a vibrant family-friendly destination, encouraging both recreation and connection. It’s part of the city’s larger Amelia River Waterfront Park improvements.

T-Mobile’s grant is part of a $25 million, five-year national program supporting small-town projects that revitalize downtowns, improve public spaces, and strengthen community identity. The city was one of up to 25 towns selected this quarter.

Construction of Climb Fernandina will align with the park’s development timeline.