On Wednesday, February 4, GWJax, the COJ, and community representatives gathered at Hollybrook Park to break ground on the McCoys Creek Branches restoration project. The initiative marks a critical milestone in returning the western headwaters of McCoys Creek to a cleaner, healthier, and more natural state while supporting the broader vision of the McCoys Creek restoration and the Emerald Trail.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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as part of the Federal Highway Administration Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Program, have been permanently rescinded.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.
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.
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.
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.
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