Panama Park - Jacksonville, FL Area Guide

The first steam-powered sawmill was built in Panama Park in 1828, and the Cummer Lumber Mill soon followed in 1896, emerging as the largest employer in the city. Because the neighborhood lay at the terminus of two paved roads and had daily train service from the surrounding region, it became a popular destination for fishing, sailing and picnicking. The neighborhood began to grow at the turn of the 20th century, when George W. Clark Sr. began to sell improved lots and Henry J. Klutho designed a new school. Panama Park was then annexed by Jacksonville in 1931.

Although you don't find any museums or much of an arts scene within Panama Park, cross the river to the north to reach the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, or head east to visit the Jaxport Gallery. Regular festivals take place to the south in Jacksonville proper, such as the jazz and food truck festivals.

Head to Main Street North to find a hub of restaurants and nightlife within Panama Park, which has an unsurprising focus on fresh seafood thanks to the neighborhood's proximity to the ocean. However, the neighborhood features a range of international cuisines to complement the seafood theme.

For Caribbean favorites, try Caribbean Sunrise Bakery and Restaurant. It primarily operates as a take-out restaurant, but it also provides a casual dine-in experience. Expect a meal cooked from scratch using traditional island herbs and spices, or look out for imported groceries for sale. Enjoy signature dishes such as Island Stew, which serves up your choice of oxtail, chicken or beef simmered in a rich sauce and topped with carrots and potatoes. Alternatively, order the Rasta Jerk, a spicy dish that features grilled or baked jerk chicken or pork.

For an authentic taste of Italy, head to Joseph's Pizza, named for the San Franciscan chef whose passion was to bring hearty, indulgent food to every customer. Try an Italian classic, such as lasagna or chicken marsala, or order a gourmet pizza with a double-baked thin crust. Alternatively, sample Joseph's stromboli, a stuffed roll filled with thinly sliced steak and sautéed mushrooms, or Joseph's calzone, stuffed with homemade Italian sausage, ham, green peppers and onions.

To take your pick from an extensive menu of Chinese favorites at reasonable prices, head to Hop Shing. Locals recommend the curry chicken, Hunan beef and General Tso's chicken. The all-day menu includes value meals such as spare rib tips and teriyaki chicken sticks, while the chef's specialties include subgum wonton and Mongolian beef.

Within Panama Park, try the Tip Top Tavern, a local dive bar, or the House Tavern, a bar and grill. Find Austin's Confectionery just to the south, which has an extensive cocktail menu, and the Skyline Sports & Lounge, a sports bar that screens regular games. Nearby, catch a show at the Stage Aurora Theatrical Company.

Although Panama Park's public transportation options remain limited, the Edgewood Community Shuttle services the neighborhood, transporting residents along flexible routes throughout neighborhood and south toward the city. While friendly to pedestrians, the large and spread-out nature of the neighborhood makes walking a tricky means of getting around, and little infrastructure exists for cyclists.

Uber operates within the neighborhood, and while you can't hail a taxi on the streets, you can call several taxi services for a pick-up. When using a personal vehicle, you find a reasonable amount of on-street parking and parking lots for customers of local businesses. Panama Park provides excellent connections to other neighborhoods thanks to Main Street North to its west, which leads south into the city or north toward other Florida destinations, and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to its south.

Two parks lie within the borders of Panama Park, and one of them shares the name of the neighborhood. Panama Park, developed in the 1920s, features seven acres dedicated to playgrounds and recreation facilities and three acres for passive enjoyment, once known as Buffalo Park. Within this green space, exercise enthusiasts find baseball facilities, basketball courts, a softball field and a tennis court. In addition to family time around the picnic tables, kids enjoy the park's playground equipment.

Named for the former first lady of the governor of Florida, who was a noted conservationist and women's rights activist, the May Mann Jennings Park opened in 1940. While the 22 acres of this park has little in the way of amenities, the undeveloped, natural wilderness makes for an excellent getaway destination within city limits as well as an excellent place for dog walking.

Calling Panama Park home comes with financial benefits because its cost of living runs almost 10 percent below the average for Jacksonville and eight percent lower than the national average. Travelling to the center of the city on the community shuttle sets you back just $1, while the median rental cost for the neighborhood sits around $650. Expect to pay under $9 for a pint of beer at a local establishment, while the price of gas hovers around 3 percent above the national average.

Wander along Main Street North to find plenty of shopping opportunities, especially smaller, family-owned stores. Try the Trout River Fish Co. to pick up bait and tackle before you head to the neighborhood's fishing locales, or pick up some fresh fish at Ferrells Seafood. Terra Time and Tide sells hot pepper seeds from around the world, while Ed's Warehouse specializes in used appliances.

For groceries, head to the Save-A-Lot or travel slightly to the west to find Winn-Dixie and Star Food Discount. The closest farmers market lies to the southwest on West Beaver Street. Jacksonville Farmers Market operates throughout the year, featuring hand-picked produce and food products as well as imported items and ethnic specialties.