Map of 30-mile Emerald Trail showing half of the trail in design, under construction or complete.
Emerald Trail
Groundwork is engaging neighborhood stakeholders, business leaders, funders and the City to plan and build the Emerald Trail by 2030. When complete this signature outdoor destination will encompass more than 30 miles of trails, greenways and parks that encircle the urban core and link at least 14 historic neighborhoods to downtown, Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek and the St. Johns River.
The trail links to 16 schools, three colleges, three hospitals, 21 parks and the Regional Transportation Center, among other destinations like restaurants, retail and businesses, with 13 additional schools and 17 parks located within three blocks. The Emerald Trail has the potential to be a catalyst for social and economic development in Jacksonville, from encouraging healthy lifestyles and promoting public safety, to spurring economic growth and neighborhood revitalization. Groundwork Jacksonville is connecting expertise, resources and passion to bring this potential to life.
Design Standards
Simultaneous design and construction of trail segments will require the participation of multiple design and engineering teams, each working on segments with unique conditions and design challenges unforeseen in the 2019 Emerald Trail Master Plan. Without sufficient coordination and design leadership, these challenges could result in inconsistent and sometimes unsatisfactory implementation.
To address this, Groundwork Jacksonville raised private dollars to engage SCAPE landscape architects in the development of comprehensive design standards to guide and unify the future implementation and management of the Emerald Trail system. These standards build upon the recommendations of the 2019 Master Plan, lessons learned from segments already built or in design, and national design guidance and best practices.
With these design standards, Groundwork Jacksonville hopes to ensure a world-class trail experience that links the parks, creeks, open spaces, and neighborhoods of Jacksonville’s historic urban core, provides ample opportunities for community connection, and establishes a distinct identity reflective of the city’s unique character. View Design StandardsÂ
Trail Master Plan
Over a six-month period, the planning team conducted field work, analyzed data and worked with our Steering Committee and neighborhood working group to ensure the proposed trails were safe, appealing and destination-driven.
The Steering Committee dissected the Trail Master Plan into three implementation tiers: Programmed Segments, Implementation Tier 1, and Implementation Tier 2. The goal for implementation is to have a trail segment within acquisition, design, permitting, and construction at all times until completion.
The Emerald Trail Master Plan was developed by the PATH Foundation —an organization responsible for building more than 260 miles of trails throughout Georgia, in concert with landscape architect KAIZEN Collaborative.
The $88,200 plan cost was privately underwritten by a $50,000 donation from JTC Running (JTC), as well as through grants from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Giving Forward Community Endowment Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.