Long known as Northeast Park, this Gainesville park was renamed after prominent rock musician Tom Petty in 2018. According to an October 20, 2018 article in the Gainesville Sun, Petty and his brother “grew up in this park,” and it was a “sanctuary” for them. To commemorate Petty, there is a large red sign at one of the park’s entrances, depicting the singer with his guitar.
Tom Petty Park is nestled in the northeast corner of central Gainesville, approximately two miles from the University of Florida campus.