JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A trail in Duval County that will connect downtown to the beaches is one step closer to becoming a reality.
The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization announced on Monday it collaborated with the City of Jacksonville to plan a continuous shared-use path called the “Core-2-Coast Trail.”
The trail, which will provide bicycle and pedestrian access, will extend from the Fuller Warren bicycle-pedestrian bridge in the Riverside/San Marco area all the way to the beach communities, which include Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach.
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According to the final report of the trail’s feasibility study, the Core-2-Coast Trail represents an opportunity to provide regional connectivity and expand bicycle and pedestrian access.
The recommended alignment for the trail spans approximately 25 miles across the southeast quadrant of Jacksonville, according to the report.
It connects 17 schools, 12 parks, and nearly 80 transit stops as it winds through neighborhoods like St. Nicholas, Spring Park, South Point, Town Center, and the University of North Florida.
A big reason why NFTPO and the City are encouraging this trail is for safety reasons.
According to a study done by Smart Growth America’s annual “Dangerous by Design” report, Jacksonville consistently ranks in the top 20 metro areas for pedestrian deaths, with more than 100 people killed on roadways each year, many of whom are pedestrians or bicyclists. Mostly people on foot.
Trails offer safe places for recreational activities and promote community identity, health, and social connection.
The Core-2-Coast Trail will also connect the Emerald Trail and urban core neighborhoods to the East Coast Greenway, which is a 3,000-mile trail that extends from Maine to Florida.
The design for the trail is looking to be a 10 to 12-foot Shared Use Path, also known as SUP.
The trail is projected to cost around $25 million.
