Posts by GroundworkJacksonville
Trailblazer 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as part of the Federal Highway Administration Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Program, have been permanently rescinded.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.
Read MorePark Street Mural Celebrates Neighborhood History
The newly completed 1,100-foot-long mural along the Park Street Bridge on the Emerald Trail LaVilla Link celebrates the rich history of Jacksonville’s LaVilla and Brooklyn neighborhoods. Led by artist Overstreet Ducasse, in collaboration with artists Grace Bio, Dustin Harewood, and Alexi McMonigle, the mural is a tribute to the past, encapsulating the essence of LaVilla and Brooklyn’s cultural legacy.
Read MoreRotary Clubs Achieved Goal of $250,000 for Emerald Trail Riverside Link
The Partnership of Northeast Florida Clubs of Rotary International, representing ten local Rotary Clubs, raised $250,000 for Groundwork Jacksonville to help fund a portion of the Emerald Trail Riverside Link.
Read MoreGWJax Adds Key Staff
Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc., has added key staff to increase capacity for the growing organization. Leana Cianfoni is Groundwork Jacksonville’s new Chief Development Officer and Desiree’ “Dee” Powell, has joined in the newly created position of Urban Planner
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