Mission
OUR MISSION IS TO BRING ABOUT THE SUSTAINED REGENERATION, IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT BY DEVELOPING COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING IN THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA AREA. THE ORGANIZATION IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, US NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND GROUNDWORK USA, INC. AND IS ONE OF 21 SUCH TRUSTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. GROUNDWORK JACKSONVILLE IS SPECIFICALLY CHARGED WITH DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A 30-MILE BICYCLE/PEDESTRAIN TRAIL AND LINEAR PARKS SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF MCCOYS AND HOGANS CREEKS. THE EMERALD TRAIL WILL CONNECT 14 URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS, INCLUDING DOWNTOWN, AND LINK TO 16 SCHOOLS, 2 COLLEGES AND 21 PARKS. THIS INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IS BEING MADE IN MAJORITY BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE 71% OF RESIDENTS ARE LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME AND 35% LIVE IN POVERTY.