The Daily Record’s Trailblazer Award winners include one for whom the title is quite literal.
Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville, leads the development of the 30-mile Emerald Trail around and through Downtown Jacksonville.
As she points out, she also participates in Groundwork’s Trailblazer Annual Leadership Giving Program, meaning she’s doubly suited for the title.
Ehas is a familiar face among Jacksonville government and business leaders as a longtime lead advocate for the trail, which is more than 40% completed, under construction or in design.
She recently appeared for a groundbreaking for the Hogan Street Link section, which will connect Riverfront Plaza to Union Street.
Asked what inspires her, she says:
“The Emerald Trail project itself. Seeing the vision come to life with the restoration of McCoys Creek and the completion of the LaVilla link, I’m inspired by the support of the neighborhoods the trail is connecting and of our donors and funders, and the commitment of our elected officials and public partners.”
Fully built, the trail would connect 14 neighborhoods to Downtown, the St. Johns River, McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. Along the route are 16 schools, two colleges and 21 parks.
Proponents say it will increase quality of life in the city and contribute to Downtown revitalization by providing a place to safely walk, run, bicycle and enjoy nature.
In a testament to Ehas’ belief in the project, Groundwork raised private dollars to design the McCoys Creek project without a guarantee from the city of Jacksonville that it would accept the design and move forward with it.
“But they did,” she said.
Through funding challenges and other adversity, Ehas is stalwart in pushing for progress.
“My superpower is having a clear vision, principles and beliefs that guide the work, and the tenacity to see it through,” she said.
Meanwhile, she strives to inspire the collaborations that will keep the project moving.
“I define success by being paid for my passion and also that everyone in the organization believes in the vision, is working towards it and feel fulfilled in what they’re doing,” she said.