Groundwork Jacksonville

GWJax is the city’s primary non-profit organization specifically created to clean and redevelop the Emerald Trail and convert contaminated land into parks, playgrounds, trails, and other public greenspace. Inspired by the Mayor’s administration in 2013, GWJax was formed as a partnership between the City of Jacksonville, the US National Park Service, the US Environmental Protection Agency and Groundwork USA. GWJax is one of 20 Trusts across the country, the only Trust in Florida and the first in the southeast, United States.  

Our mission is to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships which empower people, businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being. Our mission has been formally adopted by our governing board and is shared with the other 20 Groundwork Trusts across the country. 

GWJax is leading the effort to build and connect Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail, an idea championed by famed architect Henry Klutho in the early 20th Century. When complete the Emerald Trail will connect approximately 30-miles of new and existing trails, greenways and parks that encircle the urban core and link at least 14 historic neighborhoods and downtown to Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek, the S-Line Rail Trail and the Northbank and Southbank riverwalks. The trail will link to 18 schools, two colleges and 28 parks among other destinations like restaurants, retail and businesses, with an additional 20 schools and 21 parks located within three blocks of the trail.

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Over the last 38 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $20 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. These investments have leveraged more than $60.4 billion in development activity and helped families and communities raise their standards of living. LISC investments impact the lives of nearly 7 million Americans. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 35 markets and a Rural program making an impact in 2,100 counties. Visit us at www.lisc.org.