Walk along the Northbank Riverwalk for an amazing view of the St. John’s River. Many city events take place here including the Light Boat Parade, New Year’s Eye Fireworks and many races.
The Northbank Riverwalk is undergoing repairs including: bulkhead repairs, wayfinding signage and the addition of a performing arts activation node.
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park is a City of Jacksonville public park honoring brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson, two of Jacksonville’s most influential and internationally renowned cultural icons, who wrote the hymn “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” in the early 1900s at their home in Jacksonville.
Called the “Black National Anthem” by the NAACP, the Johnson Brothers’ powerful hymn has been sung and performed across generations throughout the past 125 years.
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park was designed by world-renowned MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” recipient Walter Hood to incorporate elements of the Johnson brothers’ and LaVilla’s cultural and built history while making space for a more inclusive future.
In Spring 2019, Jacksonville City Council approved Groundwork Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail Master Plan to create a 30-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails that will connect Downtown to 14 historic neighborhoods, 18 schools, two colleges and nearly 30 parks.
Phase one is a 1.3-mile “Model Project” to connect the existing S-Line Rail Trail in Springfield to the McCoys Creek Greenway and Park Street. The Emerald Trail network is estimated to cost $31 million, plus land acquisition, and take 10 years to complete.
Brooklyn Park is located at the intersection of Jackson Street and Spruce Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood. It is directly across the street from the new Lofts at Brooklyn and adjacent to McCoy’s Creek. Brooklyn Park improvements will be included as part of the McCoy’s Creek Greenway project. Future improvements to the park, in tandem with the McCoy’s Creek restoration, include a kayak launch, pedestrian bridge, trails, and general park amenities. Currently, the park includes amenities such as a basketball court, a baseball field, benches, lighting, and trash barrels.