St. Augustine Honors Civil Rights Leader Dr. Robert B. Hayling with New Plaza and Statue

Construction crews have officially began mobilizing for the Hayling Plaza Project at Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park in the Lincolnville neighborhood, marking a significant investment in the city’s ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate its Civil Rights Movement history. The park will remain open throughout construction, with fencing installed around the active work area.

The City of St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is funding the project through the Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Area (LCRA). Following a formal solicitation process, city officials awarded the construction contract to GEC Trucking & Construction, Inc.

The centerpiece of the project will be a commemorative statue honoring Dr. Robert B. Hayling, a dentist and key figure in St. Augustine’s civil rights protests during the early 1960s. Hayling served as a leader of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Council and helped organize nonviolent demonstrations that drew national attention to segregation in St. Augustine, ultimately contributing to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. City officials with the CRA say the new plaza will create a dedicated public space where residents and visitors can reflect on Hayling’s legacy while learning more about the city’s role in the American Civil Rights Movement.

“Once completed, Hayling Plaza will serve as a meaningful public space for reflection, education, and community gatherings,” the CRA said in its latest announcement. A future ribbon-cutting ceremony will formally unveil the statue and celebrate the project’s completion.

The Hayling Plaza Project represents one component of a larger, multi-phase redevelopment initiative for Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park and neighboring Eddie Vickers Park. Together, the two parks encompass more than 25 acres of recreational space in Lincolnville. The project plan, adopted in 2023, outlines numerous future improvements, including enhanced walking trails, gathering spaces, sports courts, seating areas, a dog park, kayak launch facilities, and interpretive signage highlighting significant figures and events connected to the 1964 Civil Rights Movement.

The broader redevelopment project reflects the CRA’s commitment to enhancing quality of life in Lincolnville while preserving the neighborhood’s rich cultural heritage. According to CRA planning documents, the long-term vision aims to create a destination that combines recreation, education, environmental stewardship, and historical interpretation.

As construction begins, city officials encourage residents to continue using the park while respecting safety barriers around the work zone. The completed Hayling Plaza is expected to become a prominent landmark honoring one of St. Augustine’s most influential civil rights leaders and strengthening the city’s connection to its historic past.