Upson was called Murray Hill School when it opened in a three-room facility on a cold gray morning in November 1916. Ruth Upson, the first principal, and two others taught the 43 students who had to trek though muddy cow paths to get to the school.

In 1941, the school was renamed for Upson after a neighborhood petition. She retired in 1949 after 32 years as principal, during which enrollment grew to more than 1,000. She died in 1968. Upson now has 380 students.

In 1941, the heirs of J. Graeme Drew sold the park property to the City. Several athletic associations have used and helped maintain the playground over the years including the Murray Hill Youth Assoc., the Wright Youth Assoc., and most recently the Murray Hill Athletic Assoc. Improvement projects in 2001-2003 added two scoreboards, a walk path, fencing for two T-ball fields, a water feature, three portable shelters, a playscape and more.

The City acquired the park property in six deeds between 1925 and 1939. The passive park takes its name from the property’s location at the four corners of the Lawnview Street and Lamboll Avenue intersection. With input and assistance from the Murray Hill Preservation Association, the City completed an improvement project in 1995 that included a lighted walking and jogging trail (internal to the park), and new benches, irrigation spigots, and trash receptacles.

Murray Hill Art Center at Herbert Bayer Park is located in the Murray Hill Heights section of southwest Jacksonville. In 1949, the City purchased the park property, including the building that originally housed the Murray Hill Baptist Church. The park opened soon thereafter, and was originally named for Herbert Bayer (1900-1971), the dean of Florida’s legislative reporters, who lived near the park. Mr. Bayer covered every legislative session for the Florida Times Union between 1925 and his retirement in 1964. After use as a community center, the building sat empty, when through the efforts of the Murray Hill Civic Club and the City, it opened for art programs in 1985. Classes were offered in watercolor painting, weaving, basketry, quilting, pottery and more, and the Civic Club held monthly meetings at the Center. The programs expanded through the 1980’s, and it is the City’s principal visual arts center in 2005.

The City purchased the lots for creation of the park in 1928, making it one of the older municipal parks. With two benches and abundant trees, this small park provides an attractive setting for the relaxation and visual enjoyment of area residents.

Powers Park is located in the Murray Hill section of west Jacksonville, two blocks northwest of the McDuff Avenue and Post Street intersection. The City established the park soon after purchasing a three-block tract from Arthur M. Powers (1904-1987) in 1929. A Riverside resident, Mr. Powers was the Secretary-Treasurer of Sabel Brothers, a downtown wholesaler of shoes, shoemaker equipment, and leather goods. He and other family member also sold the City additional property in 1940 and 1955, which was later incorporated into the park. A 1969 report of City recreation space described the site as a well-maintained, passive park, and today it remains a passive facility, without athletic or playground amenities. Powers Park provides a scenic, natural setting with many picturesque trees, and attractive green space for the area’s residents.