Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail

The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail is a Rail Trail that extends from northwest Jacksonville to Baldwin, Florida. While it is technically a city park, it includes three separate paths: a multi-use asphalt trail for hiking, jogging, in-line skating or cycling; an off-road bike trail; and a horseback riding trail.HistoryThe City of Jacksonville purchased an unused east/west railroad corridor from CSX Transportation Inc. in December 1992, in conjunction with the Florida Greenways and Trails Program and with approval of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The trail runs from Jacksonville’s Imeson Road to Brandy Branch Road near Baldwin for a distance of approximately 14.5mi. It is 100ft wide, with a 12ft asphalt thoroughfare suitable for nonmotorized wheeled conveyances, such as bicycles and wheelchairs.Trail BufferAll of the Jacksonville Baldwin Rails to Trails Buffer Preserve was purchased with grants from the Florida Communities Trust (FCT), which has provided funding for local communities and eligible non-profit organizations to acquire land for parks, greenways and open spaces since 1991. FCT Grant No. 01-120-FF1 included the following properties: Scarborough, Block, Old Plank Land Trust, Garner and Campbell. The Forbess and Walker properties were purchased with the help of FCT Grant No. 04-052-FF4. The conceptual site plan for the Scarborough and Block properties shows hiking, biking, and equestrian trails throughout the properties, plus parking lots to provide more access to the Rail Trail. Picnic pavilions and wildlife observation platforms will also be included. The conceptual site plan for the 491acre Forbess and Walker properties proposed an equestrian cool-down facility, restrooms, picnic pavilions, a horseshoe pit, a volleyball court, a parking area, an equestrian trail, a hiking trail and a biking trail, as well as upland and wetland restoration. As of 2008, those projects, with the exception of the trails themselves, were still in the planning stage.