Your extraordinary dedication has resulted in an impressive total of $290,000, surpassing our target by $40,000! This additional funding is available to enhance The Rotary Way with special features that showcase our Rotary vision and legacy, such as branded benches along the half-mile section.
- February 1, 2025
With scissors in hand and ready to cut the ribbon, Mayor Donna Deegan described the Emerald Trail as "a shining jewel for this city.”
The kickoff event marked the opening of the first major link of the 33-mile trail.
It was the LaVilla link that begins on Park Street in Riverside/Brooklyn and proceeds northward into the westside of downtown."
- May 6, 2024
The federal grant is for work on 15 miles of the long-
planned
network trail of urban green spaces. "We're all excited more shovels will be in the ground soon,” Mayor Donna Deegan said in a release outlining plans for construction on five trail links spread from the city's old Eastside to the Woodstock and Durkeeville areas west and north of downtown. Those links are parts of a master plan developed five years ago to connect creeks, paths, and parkland in the city's core as a 30-mile chain of green space stitched together as a vast amenity encouraging cycling, walking, and running in the heart of Jacksonville.
Representing the Rotary club partners in the Emerald Trail Project, West Jacksonville Rotary presented project manager Groundwork Jacksonville a $1000,000 check for $100,000 as the 2023 contribution.
In 2022, partner clubs contributed $50,000.
Now, it's off to meeting the 2024 final installment to reach the total $250,000 pledge.
(l. to r - West Jax Pres. Dane Jensen, PP Shawn Asmuth, Groundwork Jax CEO Kay Ehas, and Alberta Hipps, club liaison)
The City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Groundwork Jacksonville celebrated their collaboration on the Emerald Trail project, which they say will keep it progressing more smoothly. The pact between the three entities says JTA will apply for federal funding to supplement the local and state portions of ET. (Jacksonville Today)
The LaVilla Link opening ribbon is scheduled to be cut on January 17, 2024. It will be the first completed segment with landscaped walkways, upgraded playground and parks and protected bicycle lanes connecting the Brooklyn and LaVilla communities to the S-Line Rail Trail in the Railyard District.
Rotary Way's 4-way north intersection at the Riverside Arts Market will provide access to the Southside link using the new Shared Use Path (SUP). The Southside segment is expected to open in 2025.
Construction of this segment is almost complete. It connects with the Fuller Warren and Main Street (Alsop) bridges to a South Bank pedestrian loop.
The Rotary design team headed by Rotarian architect Jeff Lane is scheduled to begin work with the Groundwork Jax designers and planners in the next few weeks. The entire Groundwork Jacksonville lead design team will also seek input from Riverside Avenue residents as well as the Cummer Museum, Jacksonville Garden Club, restaurants, Memorial Park, and businesses. The start of construction is planned for mid 2024.
The 4th Annual VyStar Emerald 5K/10K was the biggest yet, with more than 750 runners, walkers and cyclists hitting the streets downtown, along the Northbank Riverwalk and San Marco. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $125,000 for Groundwork Jacksonville.
Past RCJ President Jim Agee and member Renee Parenteau both finished with first-place honors in the Ride. Past President Gerry Kelley completed the 5K run; and Genni Jett completed the 10K run.