Photo: Scenic Jacksonville Facebook
“There is so much to be thankful for in Jacksonville.
What comes to mind immediately includes beautiful natural resources and an incredible history.
The natural resources are dominated by water.
The majestic St. Johns River widens into an estuary as it nears the Atlantic Ocean.
The Intracoastal Waterway has its own unique ecology that you can appreciate from water level. Crossing a bridge at twilight, the setting sun acts like a spotlight, turning the marshes into a soft palette of colors.
The tributaries of the river criss-cross the city. Two of the most prominent near Downtown, Hogans Creek and McCoys Creek, are being rediscovered with an aggressive nonprofit, Groundwork Jacksonville, leading the way…
Look at a map of Duval’s major parks and many of them are located around the outer edges of the county. That is about to change, however. Once the Emerald Trail is completed, there will be 30 miles of urban pathways around Downtown that are linked to the riverwalk. And once the pedestrian walkway is completed alongside the Fuller Warren Bridge, the riverwalks will have a sky-high connection.
Meanwhile, there are plans to expand access along the St. Johns River Downtown. There is much empty space along the Northbank. Plans for a series of riverfront parks are being advanced by Riverfront Parks Now, a group of influential advocates. Public access that began with the Southbank Riverwalk in the 1980s is now coming to fruition.
On the Southbank, plans for a massive mixed-use development at the site of the former Southside Generating Station will include an extension of the riverwalk that wraps around the back of the riverfront development.
Jacksonville’s incredible history
The Times-Union Editorial page has been campaigning for a better appreciation of Jacksonville history, especially the history of our Black native sons and daughters…
The stories are fascinating.
Jacksonville — a city of natural beauty and beautiful people”
— Florida Times-Union Editorial Board
Read entire article
More news about this project and MOSH relocation
Read Scenic Jacksonville on proposed Metropolitan Park