McCoys Creek
Community Engagement
Emerald Trail
Hogans Creek

Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc. was established in 2014 as the city's nonprofit partner in building the Emerald Trail and restoring McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. Groundwork Jacksonville is one of 21 Groundwork USA trusts in the country and the only trust in Florida.

ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

Check out our Annual Reports to see what we've been doing. We hope you consider getting involved! There are countless ways that you can play a pivotal role in our community.

Featured News

Kay Ehas Named Nation’s 2025 Trail Champion

Rails to Trails Conservancy has named Groundwork Jacksonville’s CEO, Kay Ehas as the Nation’s 2025 Trail Champion. Ehas is recognized for her community-driven approach in developing the Emerald Trail, Jacksonville, Florida’s 30-mile trail system, building social, economic and environmental resilience regionwide.

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6th Annual Emerald Trail Run the Biggest Yet!

More than 800 runners, walkers (and rollers in strollers) came out to support Groundwork Jacksonville at the 6th Annual VyStar Emerald Trail 5K/10K & 1-Mile Fun Run presented by JTC Running on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Young and young at heart enjoyed the scenic route along the Emerald Trail LaVilla Link and S-Line Rail Trail.

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Groundbreaking of Emerald Trail Hogan Street Link

On Thursday, Sept. 25, City of Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas, and VyStar Credit Union CEO Brian Wolfburg hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hogan Street Link, the second segment of the Emerald Trail to be constructed as part of the 30-mile network of trails and parks through the city’s urban core.

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GWJax Brings Project One Health to Brentwood

Groundwork Jacksonville (GWJax) is proud to have been awarded a grant from the Winston Family Foundation to develop a neighborhood initiative in the Brentwood community as part of Project One Health, a 3-year strategic initiative that aims to redefine the relationship between people and nature in Jacksonville.

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A Message from Kay Ehas About the $147M Grant

We have been informed that unobligated grants, as part of the Federal Highway Administration Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Program, have been permanently rescinded. This includes the celebrated $147M grant for our beloved Emerald Trail. While we are extremely disappointed in this decision, Groundwork Jacksonville, the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) remain committed to ensuring this transformative project becomes a reality for our city and region.

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