With Hurricane Helene moving out of our area, nearly 800 runners decided to take advantage of the nicer weather Saturday morning.

The city of Jacksonville will celebrate the completion of the first link of the Emerald Trail on Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that has been years in the making.

The City of Jacksonville, Groundwork Jacksonville, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will hosted a press conference to give more details and answer any questions about the $147 million federal grant awarded for the Emerald Trail.

Dozens of volunteers spruced up parts of Hogans Creek in Historic Springfield on Saturday. They're out there the third Saturday of every month, but this weekend's cleanup was timely -- on the heels of recent flooding that left cars stranded in a nearby hospital parking lot.

There are high-hopes in place for a decade-long proposal to construct the LaVilla Link to bring the area once known as the Harlem of the South back to life.

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” we are joined by Mayo Clinic Jacksonville CEO Dr. Kent Thielen to discuss the changes to health care becoming permanent following the pandemic. We’re also digging deeper into plans for Emerald Trail in Duval County with Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas and Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney. And we’re closing our show with a tribute to JU’s beloved former President Fran Kinne and a look back at her 62-year association with the university.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. North Florida Land Trust was awarded a contract to serve as the real estate consultant for the City of Jacksonvilles McCoys Creek Restoration Project. NFLT will provide technical and real estate work needed for the acquisition of parcels associated with the proposed improvements within the plan. They will also coordinate with Groundwork Jacksonville, its nonprofit partner and the leader of the Emerald Trail effort, to identify the landowners. McCoys Creek is a wonderful example of Groundwork Jacksonvilles ongoing partnership with NFLT, said Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville. As part of the restoration project, the City will make improvements to prevent flooding, restore fish and wildlife habitat and create a more resilient ecosystem.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Groundwork Jacksonville has unveiled the design of the Emerald Trail Model Project the first segment of the urban trail that will link Brooklyn through LaVilla. Construction of the $3.9 million project, named the LaVilla Link, will begin this fall and take a year to complete. From Park and Stonewall streets in Brooklyn, the 1.3-mile LaVilla Link will crosses over the Park Street Bridge by the Prime Osborn Convention Center and head north along Lee Street. It will feature several signature points of interest like the Park Street Bridge and the Lee Street Pond. I remain grateful for the leadership of the Groundwork Jacksonville team and the contributions of the donors.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Groundwork Jacksonville has unveiled the design of the Emerald Trail Model Project the first segment of the urban trail that will link Brooklyn through LaVilla. Construction of the $3.9 million project, named the LaVilla Link, will begin this fall and take a year to complete. It will feature several signature points of interest like the Park Street Bridge and the Lee Street Pond. The Emerald Trail will promote historic communities, physical activity and wellness, and Jacksonvilles natural beauty. I remain grateful for the leadership of the Groundwork Jacksonville team and the contributions of the donors.