JTC Running, Northeast Florida’s preeminent promoter of healthy lifestyles through running, fitness, and fellowship, donated $50,000 to GWJax to help fund the design of the Emerald Trail S-Line Connector which completes an unfinished 1.3-mile section of the existing S-Line Rail Link from 12th St. and Boulevard near Andrew Robinson Elementary School, to E. 21st St. The total design cost, to be shared equally by Groundwork and the City of Jacksonville, is estimated to be $860,000. Construction will begin next year.
In June, Groundwork unveiled the design of the Emerald Trail LaVilla Link connecting Brooklyn to LaVilla and the S-Line. Together, the S-Line Connector and LaVilla Link will form a six-mile contiguous trail enabling runners, walkers and cyclists to travel from Brooklyn to Norwood Plaza, near Gateway Mall.
One of the points of interest along the S-Line connector is the Phoenix Arts District, a 100,000-square-foot warehouse space spanning across a 4.5-acre campus space that will be converted into workshops, studios, apartments, event space, galleries, restaurants and more.
“JTC Running has been a tremendous ongoing supporter of the Emerald Trail,” said Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville. “We are exceedingly grateful for JTC’s generous monetary contributions as well as the group’s advocacy for safe urban spaces to run, walk and cycle. Their support is truly helping make this endeavor possible,” she added.
The S-Line is a 4.8-mile rails-to-trails multiuse path that runs from Myrtle Avenue just north of Beaver Street to 44th Street. The S-line was an abandoned length of CSX railroad Right-of-Way — appropriately in the shape of an “S” — that was acquired by the City to create an urban greenway. It is now part of the planned 30-mile Emerald Trail.
JTC Running played a key role in launching the Emerald Trail project in 2018 by helping to underwrite the Emerald Trail Master Plan with a $50,000 donation. “The Emerald Trail personifies our mission of bringing people together through running and recreation and does so in a way that beautifies our city through greenscapes and creating a safe place for people and nature to co-exist,” said Larry Roberts, President of JTC Running. “We are proud to partner with Groundwork Jacksonville and support this project, which greatly enhances our city overall.”
The Emerald Trail is a public-private partnership between the City of Jacksonville and Groundwork that will connect 14 of our city’s historic urban neighborhoods to downtown, the St. Johns River, McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. When completed by 2029, the trail will link 16 schools, two colleges and 21 parks among other destinations like restaurants, retail and businesses, with an additional 13 schools and 17 parks located within three blocks of the trail. A catalyst for neighborhood revitalization, economic development, recreation, tourism, mobility, and improved community health, the Emerald Trail will transform Jacksonville’s urban core.
About Groundwork Jacksonville
Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc., is the city’s nonprofit partner in building the Emerald Trail and restoring McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. Groundwork Jacksonville was formed in 2014 as a partnership between the City of Jacksonville, the US National Park Service, the US Environmental Protection Agency and Groundwork USA. Groundwork is one of 21 Trusts across the country, the only Trust in Florida and the first in the southeastern United States. For More Information about Groundwork Jacksonville visit www.groundworkjax.org, or follow us @GroundworkJax.
About JTC Running
JTC Running was founded in October 1975 as the Jacksonville Track Club. JTC Running is the creator and operator of the Gate River Run, which since 1978 has been one of the leading road races in the country. Its four different events encompass over 15,000 national and world-class athletes, fitness runners, wheelchair athletes, walkers and children. Learn more at www.JTCRunning.com.
