Groundwater Recharge Wetland
GRU and its partners, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Suwannee River Water Management (SRWMD) and Alachua County, are creating a groundwater recharge wetland park. The home of the 75 acre future park is located on the west side of Parker Road immediately north the Diamond Sports Park.
The park will have a series of shallow basins planted with wetland plants that are hydrated with high-quality reclaimed water. Natural processes in the constructed wetlands will filter the water and reduce nutrients to low levels before percolating the water into the soil and replenishing the groundwater below. The groundwater recharge will boost aquifer levels and help support flows at the Santa Fe River and surrounding springs.
The wetland basins will be surrounded by paths that can be used for passive recreation like walking, jogging, wildlife viewing, photography, environmental education and more. The FDEP and SRWMD are funding partners for the design and construction of the wetland system. Alachua County plans to partner with GRU to manage public access and, at a future date, plans to fund and construct amenities such as restrooms, a playground, and enhanced parking. The park will be open to the public in 2026. To learn more, visit the fact sheet or email rechargewetland@gru.com.
