Jacksonville City Council approves $345K for first segment of Emerald Trail

Kearie James said he’s always using the S-Line Rail Trail a path that’s already in place linking New Town, Durkeeville and Sugar Hill with Springfield and Brentwood. 

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He told Action News Jax, “When I’m coming home or coming from school or something, like, I always use this because I know it’s going to be quicker.”

In 2018 Action News Jax told you about plans for the Emerald Trail – a path that will link the S-Line to 18 schools, 2 colleges, and 28 parks.

The walkway stretches as far as Lackawanna and Phoenix, connecting the communities in between.

On Wednesday, city leaders approved $345,000 for designing the first part of the path

Neighbors reached out to Action News Jax worried their homes are in the way of the trail.

Groundwork Jacksonville, the group heading up the project, explained all of the necessary land belongs to the city or The Florida Department of Transportation.

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Jacksonville native Time Walden said, “From Gateway to downtown all over the city like that. If people just want to take a nice slow little walk downtown they could, and they will.”

It could be key in the redevelopment of some city areas, according to James.

He said, “Just to help it out, yah, I think it’s something they need.”

According to Groundwork Jacksonville the first phase of the trial should be complete by 2020.

The group said the entire project should be finished in 10 years.