Some people who use the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail are concerned about plans for a nearby housing development.
Published on March 18, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Free local news and info, in your inbox at 6 a.m. M-F. Sign up for the Jacksonville Today newsletter.
Q: Many outdoor enthusiasts walk or bicycle the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail almost daily. The walking and biking trail stretches 14.5 miles from Imeson Road in Jacksonville to the Town of Baldwin, along a former rail line.
According to the city of Jacksonville, the Baldwin Rail Trail is part of a nationwide “Rails to Trails” program designed to turn abandoned railroad lines into “linear parks.” But Jacksonville Today reader Alan C. has noticed signs implying that something needs to be done to “Protect the Trail.”
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
“The signs have advanced to where now the ominous warning that ‘The Developers are Coming’ is showing on some signs,” Alan says.
“Can anyone explain what the concern is and what development is in the works?”
A: Jan Rannow is part of a group that’s concerned about a plan to put homes on 124 acres along Commonwealth Avenue.
“They are putting in a 285-home development on Commonwealth that will significantly impact the safety and enjoyment of the trail close to the main Imeson trailhead,” Rannow says. “Unfortunately, it is perfectly situated to have the maximum negative effect as traffic from the development will cross the trail at three points all within the first few miles. Since this is the main trailhead that serves both our city and tourists, it’s a problem.”
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
“Unfortunately, once the development goes in it’s a lose-lose situation. There will either be gridlock on the roads or on the trail, and building overpasses would require not one but three, which is not feasible,” Rannow says. “The main crossing where the trail crosses Commonwealth is already very dangerous, and the additional traffic will only make it worse.
“It’s a shame because I consider the Baldwin Trail a Jacksonville treasure, and constantly having to stop for traffic or dodge traffic makes the trail experience unpleasant and unsafe.”
After hearing from Jan, Jacksonville Today asked the city about Ordinance No. 2025-0006, which deals with rezoning for a housing development at 8691 Commonwealth Ave. City Council approved the ordinance this month with conditions.
Erin L. Abney, from the city’s Planning and Development Department, says the project is still in the early stages.
The next steps would be for the project to move to a civil engineering review with the city’s Development Services Division, Abney says. That’s when the applicant will be required to conduct a traffic study before the developer’s plans are approved.
Abney says projects like this can take time, and it’s not completely a done deal yet.
