The Emerald Trail Will Connect Jacksonville like Never Before
Runners, walkers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts rejoice! Soon Jacksonville will have a 30-mile urban trail for all to enjoy.
Construction began last year on the Emerald Trail which will connect 14 urban neighborhoods, 16 schools and 21 parks to Downtown Jacksonville and the St. Johns River. It is a huge project by the City of Jacksonville in partnership with nonprofit Groundwork Jacksonville that will have far-reaching social, economic and environmental benefits for the community.
![](https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1fd9b4332e01ead83bc003f49e8d9e92 320w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=457f04a00f120aba01283134faa65322 540w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=eef65f96063ed35b767cf6d1fc425cfd 768w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=09e73fe2894d8a871f9c98944a662cec 1024w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ad0c3e10d561c378806ffdf5ac44eb75 1200w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=0010422a01ce3a3b099fe185508dbd91 1440w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=f7d080b2bd4c3020c8aed0b7ca2f7603 1920w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=fc7ac9c496d77086b771d3d511b9f18b 2560w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/ET-OVERALL-MAP-NUMBERS-LEGEND-3.2.21-lettersize_220909_111300.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=50a497a68484a31e15da816ccc397666 3300w)
The project includes the restoration of Hogans Creek and McCoys Creek, two urban waterways along the trail. Both are heavily polluted and frequently flood nearby streets and buildings. The plans call for a more natural channel design to reduce flooding, improve water quality, create habitat for fish and wildlife and provide access for kayaking and other recreation. McCoys Creek is under construction and the preliminary Hogans Creek restoration design began late last year.
![](https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Two-cul-de-sacs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e3a193479cfc1cb3633a0403179f631d 320w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Two-cul-de-sacs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=e6f90055458b14766c8847241f74f552 540w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Two-cul-de-sacs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=360f48ce2efa4a38f5b682e3dbfca990 768w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Two-cul-de-sacs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f75eed1f4ca2d6fc61080be5b0022e10 1024w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Two-cul-de-sacs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=167487bedcfdfbbc3d2d113d4a66170b 1200w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Two-cul-de-sacs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d2354aa9d039892015e44d6c07dae66f 1440w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Two-cul-de-sacs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=28dc54c1cc784d3c09c39ef0ccddbb56 1920w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Two-cul-de-sacs.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=92ce09184d0e1215e177cf7c3d63ee34 2047w)
The hope is that, like other signature trails around the country, the Emerald Trail will be a destination to enjoy art, shopping, local cuisine, music, festivals, outdoor recreation and all the things that reflect a city’s character and contribute to the quality of life.
The first segment of trail currently under construction is the LaVilla Link, named for the neighborhood once referred to as the “Harlem of the South” due to its vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene. This 1.3-mile trail segment will connect the Brooklyn neighborhood to the existing S-Line Rail Trail and is expected to open early 2023.
![](https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/LeeStPond2-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=62f89ef1fa4efc233880d96ae3778812 320w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/LeeStPond2-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3133c1308df4fbcac73a5c404b53293a 540w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/LeeStPond2-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=4435cfddd49deeb43889dd1fe94184e8 768w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/LeeStPond2-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c65acde9b24d9e7f22f23c7b0735ae96 1024w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/LeeStPond2-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5153e56f3ad18ee75109374828e98606 1200w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/LeeStPond2-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1af8ebd1ff6f7063d74d27a51c628151 1204w)
![](https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/DwightPark-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2f2f1ebae47d1dc4bf41ed7ee9eb80ce 320w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/DwightPark-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=19c3455fb45728499a8e037c61deeebf 540w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/DwightPark-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=56d85fa21077d32a274f2db5e47af139 768w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/DwightPark-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=323a1198bdb3591867650e28e6a54627 1024w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/DwightPark-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=41754e19ac5b514b3e10e69169198639 1200w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/DwightPark-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=927215136128f48d50e0123e7ca12eee 1215w)
The S-Line is a 4.8-mile rails-to-trails multi-use path that was an abandoned length of CSX railroad Right-of-Way that the city took position over a decade ago. An unfinished section of the S-Line will be completed, along with other improvements, as part of the Emerald Trail project.
![](https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/SLine-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f562db2fc145fe8c94d7162f26e9b1f6 320w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/SLine-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=971b36b6b1ffc41b88cbe2e2abebe8b5 540w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/SLine-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=5f5b50ab027289c0106604d52e02dc27 768w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/SLine-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=08018575836e83c96e5f50aab1bfe45c 1024w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/SLine-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d3ea626a1016e1088e47f9dae3044de9 1200w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/SLine-After.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=992ab2d44d54adf54b0e5ca83154433b 1224w)
Large warehouses stand where the LaVilla Link and S-line connect, with one dating back to the late 1800s. A private developer plans to adapt the structures into art and entertainment space.
The Sugar Hill Mosaic is located along the S-Line under the I-95 overpass just west of N. Davis Street. Groundwork Jacksonville commissioned local artists, Kate and Kenny Rouh of RouxArts, to create the 96-feet-long mosaic. It was inspired by community residents and honors Sugar Hill, once an affluent African American neighborhood until I-95 bisected it in the 1960s.
![](https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=fba4c452c689be301bf78e848b2bbce7 320w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1c0506cdcd433747c55e6635e49111f9 540w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=69f078b2270509f53eec1c1010c84d7e 768w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=95148ca2e0b982f122d9a229ce4b1f52 1024w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f7e60581019513145fe87fa27fabbe02 1200w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=0d11068a4b5e45400d715a4056b845e1 1440w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=336a49085a6c902a11ab7c668e0827ff 1920w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=8298186e5b487feaaf49551a152e29f5 2560w, https://visit-jacksonville.imgix.net/images/archive/Jax-S-Line-East.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=4f027f4b3ead2167525e01c8a18ef905 3840w)
Along the S-Line between Moncrief Road and Boulevard is known as the Biodiversity Corridor where you can see a large bioswale, a community herb garden and flower garden, bee hotels and pollinator plants. Work along this portion has been completed by Groundwork’s Green Team youth apprentices as well as community volunteers.
For more information on the Emerald Trail go to GroundworkJacksonville.org or follow @GroundworkJax