INTRODUCING: THE JAX RIVERFRONT ALLIANCE
While many organizations contribute to downtown’s current momentum, the Jax Riverfront Alliance is uniquely focused on stewarding Jacksonville’s system of riverfront parks and pathways.
Working alongside the City of Jacksonville, the Alliance will leverage private-sector resources, expertise, and community engagement to amplify public investment in the riverfront. Together, we can maintain, activate, and continually improve these parks and pathways in ways the City alone cannot.
We believe exceptional public spaces are possible through exceptional partnerships. Our public-private structure is grounded in best practices from some of the nation’s most vibrant and celebrated public spaces, adapted deliberately for Jacksonville’s unique character and needs.
The Jax Riverfront Alliance will prioritize the following principles as a foundation for lasting success:
- A Riverfront for All: Create and sustain a riverfront that serves as a vibrant, fun, iconic destination that’s open, accessible, and inviting to all residents and visitors through both its design and a variety of ongoing programming and experiences.
- Raise the Bar: Provide riverfront parks that consistently exceed expectations for vibrancy, cleanliness, maintenance, landscape care, and programming—setting a new standard for public spaces in Jacksonville.
- Connectivity: Shape a pedestrian and bike-friendly, accessible riverwalk that links the parks, public spaces and the Emerald Trail to the adjacent downtown districts and urban core neighborhoods while encouraging alternative transportation and healthy lifestyles.
- Community Engagement: Engage residents early and often to ensure riverfront spaces reflect shared community priorities, and continue seeking feedback after implementation to guide improvements, programming, and long-term success.
- Art, Culture, and Identity: Celebrate Jacksonville’s culture through thoughtfully integrated public art, performance spaces, and design elements that reflect the city’s history and community.
- Long-term Thinking: Design with the long view in mind—prioritizing flexibility, financial sustainability, shade, resilience, and quality materials.
