Posts by GroundworkJacksonville
Join Us for the LaVilla History Tour
Groundwork Jacksonville is pleased to invite you to step back in time and explore the rich history of Jacksonville’s LaVilla neighborhood. LaVilla Remembered is a free guided walking tour that…
Read MoreRails to Trails Recognizes Emerald Trail as Trail of the Month
We are honored that Rails to Trail Conservancy – the organization that, since 1986, has stood at the forefront of America’s efforts to make it safer and easier to walk, bike and be active outside – recognized Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail as the June Trail of the Month.
Read MoreStandard Feed & Seed’s 80th Anniversary Benefits GWJax
In a city where skyscrapers rise, neighborhoods evolve, and trends come and go, one Jacksonville institution has remained delightfully unchanged in all the right ways. Standard Feed & Seed —…
Read MoreTrailblazer Reception Celebrates Trail Champions
Groundwork Jacksonville’s Annual Trailblazer Reception is a wonderful celebration of the visionary donors, funders, partners and leaders who are bringing the Emerald Trail to life. This year’s event, underwritten by Community First Credit Union, was held at the beautiful Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. We were thrilled to welcome Ryan Chao, President of Rails to Trails Conservancy to make the official presentation of the 2025 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion Award to our CEO Kay Ehas.
Read MoreGWJax Seeking Trail Project Manager
Groundwork Jacksonville (GWJax) is seeking a Trail Project Manager who will oversee design and construction of the 30-mile Emerald Trail and the restoration of McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek.
Read MoreKay 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.
Read More6th 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.
Read MoreGroundbreaking 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.
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreCelebrate Trails Day Was Awesome!
Groundwork Jacksonville hosted Celebrate Trails Day Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the LaVilla Link Butterfly Garden. This FREE family event was made possible by Baptist Health and the Community Forestry Program of the USDA Forest Service.
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