Greenbriar Park and Library Groundbreaking Ceremony

• 17 March 2026
• Category: SJC News District 1 District 3 District 5
• Tags: 2026

The $23.8 million project is part of a countywide park plan

On March 10, St. Johns County held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $23.8 million construction of Greenbriar Park and Library. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to commemorate the event.

District 3 Commissioner and Board of County Commissioners Chair Clay Murphy, District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst, and District 5 Commissioner and Vice Chair Ann Taylor attended the ceremony, along with various St. Johns County administrators and staff and several area locals.

“Projects like this represent thoughtful, thorough planning—planning that ensures we maintain the quality of life that makes this county such a special place to live, work, and raise a family in,” said Chair Murphy.

Greenbriar Park and Library (505 Rally Road, St. Johns) is part of a regional park initiative meant to expand St. Johns County’s public spaces alongside its expanding population. It represents the third of four new sites, with the first two (the Silverleaf Sportsplex and the Shearwater Community Park and Library) breaking ground simultaneously in June 2025.

“When you look at this park combined with all the other facilities that have been built and approved over the last five years, it represents an investment of over $200 million in countywide Parks and Recreation facilities, and we should all be very proud of that,” said Commissioner Whitehurst.

Once completed, the site is set to include two softball fields, two baseball fields, pickleball courts, a playground, and a full-service library and community center.

“St. Johns County is moving!” said Ryan Kane, director of the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department. “We needed parks, we knew that. Our Board of County Commissioners came forward and stood up for that. If you go down… by Trout Creek Academy, you will see two great, beautiful parks being built… and here we are [doing a] groundbreaking for another one.”

“Public libraries build community by serving as essential, trusted, and free neighborhood hubs that foster social connection, education, and economic opportunity,” said Debra Rhodes Gibson, Director of the St. Johns County Public Library System. “They strengthen our community ties through programs like workshops, book clubs, and makers’ spaces, while providing critical services such as internet service, job training, and literacy classes.”