A hike designed to tour city-owned riverfront land between Metropolitan Park and the Shipyards.

About this event

This is an urban hiking experience for individuals who value urban parks, outdoor recreation, and the St. Johns River. The hike will showcase the greenspace on the river, the Riverwalk, and the enormous potential for creating an interconnected riverfront park system. The hike will also highlight the critical role such parks can play in creating a natural, resilient barrier to river flooding. The hike will take place in the Jacksonville urban core and will use its streets, sidewalks, and trails to create a 2.7 mile loop. The hike will begin in the WJCT parking lot, enter Metropolitan Park, then proceed westward along E Bay Street to the Courthouse greenspace. The hike will include stops at Metropolitan Park, the Shipyards, Hogan’s Creek, and the Courthouse greenspace. These stops will be used to highlight to discuss the value converting these spaces to an interconnected park system replete with relaxation and recreation options. The return leg of the hike will feature the Riverwalk, its existing access points, the role it can play in a riverfront park system, and the value of connecting it to Metropolitan Park. The hike will end with an exploration of Metropolitan Park.

We will be walking on paved and concrete surfaces, so wear comfortable hiking shoes. The hike will also navigate through areas impacted by the Hart Bridge Ramp demolition, so be prepared to hike on some uneven surfaces.

DIRECTIONS: Whether using a navigation app or a map, proceed to TIAA Bank Field east of downtown Jacksonville. The WJCT Media headquarters parking area is at the South end of the field, on the South side of E Bay Street. The entrance to the parking lot has been diverted due to the Hart Bridge Ramp demolition and not clearly marked. So be watchful when looking for the entrance to the parking lot. WJCT GPS Coordinates: 30.3201° N, 81.6370° W

Date and time

Sat, July 3, 2021

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM EDT

Location

Metropolitan Park

1410 Gator Bowl Boulevard

Jacksonville, FL 32202