A New Path Forward: Park Street Road Diet Opens as Part of Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail

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Downtown Jacksonville just became more walkable, bikeable, and connected.

The newly completed Park Street Road Diet is officially open. This marks a major step in the creation of the Emerald Trail and the City of Jacksonville’s larger push for a safer, more vibrant urban core.

This $11 million infrastructure improvement transformed a key stretch of Park Street by reducing vehicle lanes. This change made room for protected bike lanes, expanded sidewalks, and a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape. The project stretches from Forest Street to Stonewall Street, known as the LaVilla Link — the first official segment of the Emerald Trail.

What Is the Park Street Road Diet?

The Park Street “road diet” was designed to reduce traffic speeds and promote multimodal transportation. It also aims to better connect neighborhoods like Brooklyn, LaVilla, and the Northbank of Downtown Jacksonville.

Key features include:

• Protected two-way bike lanes
• Wider sidewalks and upgraded pedestrian crossings
• New landscaping, lighting, and traffic signals
• A more connected route for cyclists and walkers linking McCoys Creek Greenway to Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing Park and beyond

The project was developed in partnership with the City of Jacksonville, the Downtown Investment Authority, Groundwork Jacksonville, and engineering partners. These groups are committed to modernizing Downtown’s infrastructure.

Setbacks and Resilience: Jacksonville’s Next Chapter

In March 2024, the federal government awarded Jacksonville a $147 million grant to fund future segments of the Emerald Trail.This grant is the largest infrastructure grant in the city’s history.

But in July 2025, that funding was unexpectedly rescinded as part of a sweeping federal spending bill. It was a disappointment — but not a defeat.

City leaders and Groundwork Jacksonville have already begun exploring new funding options, including reapplying for grants and pursuing alternative partnerships. The momentum behind the Emerald Trail remains strong, and the vision is far from lost.

This isn’t the first time Jacksonville has had to pivot. After the Great Fire of 1901 destroyed more than 90% of Downtown, the city rose from the ashes. Today, there is over $8 billion in active and upcoming development. Therefore, Jacksonville is undergoing its most ambitious transformation in over a century.

The Future Is Still Moving: Downtown Jacksonville is Booming

From Pearl Square to RiversEdge, and from Union Terminal Warehouse to City Center, the collaborative momentum behind Downtown Jacksonville is real. It is also growing. The Emerald Trail remains a centerpiece of that vision, even if the timeline needs to adjust.

In fact, nowhere is this momentum more anticipated than in LaVilla. The UF Graduate Campus will stretch from the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center down to the old Interline Building, which will become home to the Florida Semiconductor Institute — reshaping the district into a hub for innovation, education, and connectivity, all directly tied to the Emerald Trail’s walkable future.

With Johnson Commons already underway and nearing completion, and the Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park now open, LaVilla is quickly reclaiming its place as one of Downtown Jacksonville’s most vital and vibrant districts — all connected by the Emerald Trail.

Step Inside the Trail: 360° Virtual Tour Now Live

To help you experience the transformation firsthand, we created a 360° immersive tour showcasing the new Park Street segment and more. This virtual experience includes:

• 🚲 The full Park Street Road Diet
• 🌳 The LaVilla Link section from Forest Street to West Adams Street
• 🏛️ The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center
• 🏡 Johnson Commons — a mixed-income townhome community by Corner Lot and JWB
• 🎶 The Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park, honoring Jacksonville’s Johnson brothers and their cultural legacy

Explore Jacksonville in 360

Take the full tour now. Discover how the Emerald Trail is shaping a more walkable, connected future for Jacksonville — one step, one street, and one story at a time.

👉 Explore Jacksonville in 360

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