City’s first Eco-Counter dedicated on Northbank Riverwalk
More than 30 guests gathered at Corkscrew Park on the Northbank Nov. 17, to dedicate Jacksonville’s first Eco-Counter, a permanent bicycle and pedestrian tracker. Included among the crowd were representatives from Downtown Vision, the City of Jacksonville (COJ) Parks Recreation and Community Services, Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), JTC Running, Black Girls Do Bike, Major Taylor Cycling Club, and the North Florida Bicycle Club.
Located along the Northbank Riverwalk under the Acosta Bridge, the sleek 7.5-foot Eco-Counter kiosk displays daily and year-to-date pedestrian, runner, and bicycle use. Additional trackers are planned for the urban core and information collected will help the City and its partners in future recreational and transit planning. Having reliable data showing foot traffic is also valuable as the City and its partners seek outside grants to improve bike/ped infrastructure.
The Eco-Counter was made possible by a $31,550 donation from JTC Running, the nonprofit organization that founded and hosts the annual Gate River Run, among other initiatives. “JTC’s mission is to support health, outdoor recreation and running in Northeast Florida,” said JTC Board President Larry Roberts. “All proceeds from the Gate River Run stay local to support high school track, JTC-sponsored races and training classes, and major initiatives like the Eco-counter and the planned 30-mile Emerald Trail.”
Also speaking at the event were San Marco’s Lori Boyer, CEO of the DIA; Daryl Joseph, Jacksonville director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services; Eric Miller, vice president of District Services for Downtown Vision and president of the Downtown Dwellers; and Karissa Moffett, Jacksonville Bicycle and Pedestrian coordinator.
“The Eco-Counter is a great tool for collecting valuable data that can help guide active infrastructure investments Downtown while also promoting and inspiring the community to take advantage of our 2.8 miles of Riverwalk promenade,” said Boyer. “The St. Johns River is at the heart of Downtown’s infrastructure, and we’re grateful for JTC’s generous donation that will encourage access to the river for locals and visitors alike as they walk, jog, bike, or simply stroll along the Riverwalk and take in the scenic views.”
As of the event day, nearly 14,000 pedestrians and runners, and 2,500 cyclists have traversed through Corkscrew Park on their journey along the Northbank Riverwalk to and from Riverside since the Eco-counter was installed in late October.
Moffett said the Eco-Counter will help create a ridership baseline that can be used to assess future years, and ensure investments are moving the City toward its goal of increasing walking and bicycling trips by 10% by 2030. “Thank you to JTC for spearheading the first permanent counter in Jacksonville—this is the first of many to help us reach our goal of becoming a bicycle and pedestrian friendly community,” said Moffett.
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