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1. Is the Urban Trails Master Plan available to the public?

Yes, a copy of the Master Plan is available on the City’s website by clicking here.

2. What is the Urban Trails Project?

The Jacksonville Beach Urban Trails Project is an ambitious plan to connect every neighborhood to a high-quality shared-use path network that provides a safe, intuitive, and comfortable way to walk, run, bike or skate to the beach, parks, schools, shops, jobs and other destinations.  The plan will allow residents and visitors of all ages and abilities new, viable recreational and travel choices. 

3. Did the public have any input on the project?

Yes. The plan is a culmination of community, stakeholder, staff input, and the latest planning and design practices. Public input provided a clear list of goals and objectives for the project and became the basis for concept designs and routing. 

Public meetings were held on the following dates:

• October 27, 2021
• December 1, 2021
• January 12, 2022
• January 26, 2022
• February 9, 2022
• February 23, 2022

4. Will motorized vehicles be permitted?

No, it is our intention not to allow motorized vehicles on the trail.

5. Why is the trail being built on my side of the street?

Our Consultants are seeking the most favorable routes that provide lowest overall costs and fewest conflicts with utilities and other obstacles. Included in consideration of trail locations are: width of public right-of-way, location of existing walkways, utilities and drainage etc.

6. Will there be signage?

Yes, the City intends to brand the Urban Trail System with directional signs and maps throughout the network.  

7. Will these corridors have lighting?

Each corridor will be evaluated based on public safety.

8. Will there be additional landscaping along the corridors?

Yes, City staff is working on landscape designs for the network. Installation will coincide with completion of constructed corridors. 

9. What will happen to my paver driveway?

Paver driveway aprons will be removed for the installation of the urban trail.  Upon completion of the concrete trail, the pavers will be replaced between the street and the trail and between the trail and private property line.  Adjustments to the driveway slopes may have to be done to ensure proper drainage.  The City standards for paver driveways were updated in October 2023; click here to view them.

10. Will I lose additions I have made in the right-of-way adjacent to my home? Including landscaping, fencing, irrigation, parking gravel and/or pavers?

We understand there are many home owners within Jacksonville Beach who may currently be utilizing City right-of-way (ROW) for various reasons. While most instances of this usage does require a revocable encroachment permit, which states the City may take this property back at any time, we anticipate working with property owners to accommodate urban trail installations the best way possible.

11. What is the rule - when bikes and people are using one path coming from different directions?

The City plans to utilize signage to facilitate a safe, easily understood use. As is the standard with current sidewalks, we would reference City Code of Ordinances Section 31-5: A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.

12. How do I find out how much of the right of way is going to be utilized?

The width of the urban trail will vary along each corridor. Many factors will be taken into consideration when making this determination including: the width of public right-of-way, location of existing walkways, utility location, drainage considerations, etc.

13. What is the timeline for this project?

We anticipate construction to begin in the summer of 2024 for the first four corridors, which includes 15^th Avenue North, 8^th & 9^th Ave North, 4^th Avenue North, and Jacksonville Drive.

Completion of the entire Urban Trail Network will take several years and is dependent on annual budget appropriations. 

14. Has the City considered the impact the urban trail may have on drainage, particularly in areas prone to flooding?

Yes, drainage is a key factor in the development of the urban trail project. We are making sure drainage will remain in the roadway area, away from private property.  Public Works manages drainage by considering volume of a 24 hour, 25 year event.  The amount of sidewalk and blacktop utilized for roadways and pedestrian transportation do not negatively affect the drainage calculations.  

15. Does the calculation of lot coverage for private property include the right-of-way?

No, that calculation of lot coverage for private property does not include the right-of-way.