RIVERSIDE AND SAN MARCO CELEBRATE OPENING OF SHARED-USE PATH CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
RIVERSIDE AND SAN MARCO CELEBRATE OPENING OF SHARED-USE PATH CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
April 4, 2023
Contact:
Shannon Blankinship, Executive Director, Riverside Avondale Preservation (904) 614-6570
Lauren Carlucci, President, San Marco Preservation Society (904) 318-2461
Distinguished Guests:
Wayne Wood, founder of Riverside Avondale Preservation
LeAnna Cumber, City Councilwomen District 5
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY
Saturday, April 8 at 10:00am
Grand Opening Celebration & Parade for The SUP
Riverside – 715 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL, 32204
San Marco – Children’s Way and Le Baron Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207
Visitors are invited to gather at the base of each side of I-95 for the inaugural SUP Parade. After a few words from leadership on each side of the St. Johns River, the community is invited to see a view of Jacksonville, unmatched, outside of a speeding vehicle. A marching band, led by the Darren Ronan School of Music will accompany community members from the Riverside Arts Market. Merchandise and other materials will be provided, designed by Wingard Creative. Photographers are welcome and encouraged to capture this singular moment. Aerial photography by Kram Kran Photography is tentative, pending federal and local approvals.
* Bicyclists requested to follow parade leaders from rear.
Jacksonville, FL – Riverside Avondale Preservation and San Marco Preservation Society are celebrating the opening of the Fuller Warren Shared-Use Path (The SUP) together on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00am. After years of coordination, design, construction, and now completion, the FDOT announced the new 4,596 ft. long pathway will open on Thursday, April 6 at 11:00am with a ceremony of elected and agency officials. Following this announcement, neighborhood leaders quickly worked to organize a celebration to kick-off the community-connecting bridge.
The SUP is a one-of-a-kind pathway for Jacksonville bridges, spanning 12-ft across, ideal for both pedestrians and bicyclists. As host of the weekly Riverside Arts Market, Riverside Avondale Preservation is excited to invite RAM patrons to our neighborhood via bicycle. “We’ve waited more than 5 years to connect our historic neighborhood to San Marco in a way that encourages fun, sustainable transit. The SUP and the Post Street Dock are great examples of how people can enter our community, visit our historic parks, cultural organizations, and merchant areas without the car” says Shannon Blankinship, Executive Director of RAP.
“San Marco has seen tremendous improvements in our transit and infrastructure over the last few years and completion of this project is one more example of good investment in our historic areas that benefit the entire city” said Lauren Carlucci, President for SMPS. Both RAP and SMPS are looking forward to the shared community connection and the collaboration that will follow. Immediately, we expect to see runners and commuters enjoying this new amenity.
Community leaders, Councilwomen Randy DeFoor and LeAnna Cumber are excited to see another major improvement to their districts. Councilwoman DeFoor recently celebrated the opening of the Post Street Dock in Summer 2022 and re-opening of Lomax Street after the completion of 5 Points traffic improvements in Summer 2021. “Investment in infrastructure, roadway projects, and sidewalk improvements is needed to enhance the walkability and enjoyment of the 5 Points area” said Councilwoman Randy DeFoor.
Councilwoman Cumber echoed these sentiments saying that “the San Marco waterfront benefits from increased access. I hope citizens from all over Duval County will join us as we celebrate the Grand Opening of this new City asset.”
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The purpose and mission of Riverside Avondale Preservation, Inc. is to preserve Riverside Avondale’s historic fabric and unique character, promote local businesses, arts, and culture,
advocate with and for the neighborhood and celebrate community.
The weekly Riverside Arts Market is hosted every Saturday under the canopy of the
Fuller Warren Bridge from 10AM – 3PM, rain or shine.
www.riversideavondale.org