Bordering the St. Johns River, this boardwalk is usually filled with joggers, tourists, folks sitting on benches, and lovers walking hand-in-hand, all of them watching the riverboats, the shorebirds, and downtown’s skyline reflected in the water. Here you can also find the water taxi dock near Chart House available for kayak launch.
About the Southbank Riverwalk Extension:
Approximately 1,900 feet of new riverfront bulkhead; a top of bank extension of the Southbank Riverwalk (approximately 1,900 linear feet); approximately 1,255 linear feet of new boardwalk; approximately 1,650 linear feet of new overland trail; parks with approximately 820 linear feet of river frontage and related amenities; a new water taxi stop; extensions of existing roadways and new roadways with enhanced sidewalks, enhanced landscaping, bike-lanes and on-street parking; and other facilities
Walk along the Northbank Riverwalk for an amazing view of the St. John’s River. Many city events take place here including the Light Boat Parade, New Year’s Eye Fireworks and many races.
The Northbank Riverwalk is undergoing repairs including: bulkhead repairs, wayfinding signage and the addition of a performing arts activation node.
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park is a City of Jacksonville public park honoring brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson, two of Jacksonville’s most influential and internationally renowned cultural icons, who wrote the hymn “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” in the early 1900s at their home in Jacksonville.
Called the “Black National Anthem” by the NAACP, the Johnson Brothers’ powerful hymn has been sung and performed across generations throughout the past 125 years.
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park was designed by world-renowned MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” recipient Walter Hood to incorporate elements of the Johnson brothers’ and LaVilla’s cultural and built history while making space for a more inclusive future.
In Spring 2019, Jacksonville City Council approved Groundwork Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail Master Plan to create a 30-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails that will connect Downtown to 14 historic neighborhoods, 18 schools, two colleges and nearly 30 parks.
Phase one is a 1.3-mile “Model Project” to connect the existing S-Line Rail Trail in Springfield to the McCoys Creek Greenway and Park Street. The Emerald Trail network is estimated to cost $31 million, plus land acquisition, and take 10 years to complete.
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, two 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.
Brooklyn Park is located at the intersection of Jackson Street and Spruce Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood. It is directly across the street from the new Lofts at Brooklyn and adjacent to McCoy’s Creek. Brooklyn Park improvements will be included as part of the McCoy’s Creek Greenway project. Future improvements to the park, in tandem with the McCoy’s Creek restoration, include a kayak launch, pedestrian bridge, trails, and general park amenities. Currently, the park includes amenities such as a basketball court, a baseball field, benches, lighting, and trash barrels.
