skip to main content

International Low Impact Development Conference

Jacksonville, Florida | –

Tours & Events

 Advance rates  (ADV) - prior to Nov. 19, 2025 | On-site rates (ONS) - Nov. 20, 2025 or later

Technical Tour: McCoys Creek & Hogans Creek Stream Restoration Projects

(ticketed event) | Capacity: 30 participants

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 3-6 p.m.

2.5 PDH Hours

$95 ADV | $95 ONS

Within the economically vulnerable McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek watersheds, roads, homes and businesses flooded during even average rainfall events. The creeks were channelized, bulkheaded, or buried decades ago, which allowed development in flood-prone areas and destroyed the natural floodplain and wetlands along with critical habitat for plants, fish and wildlife.

This technical tour presents a unique opportunity to witness the ambitious vision to restore two urban waterways and recognize the challenges brought by over a century of implementation of intrusive infrastructure, contamination, and land ownership into the creek’s natural corridor, and to learn the Groundwork Jacksonville and COJ’s commitment to involve the local historic communities in the planning and decision-making process.

The City of Jacksonville committed $105.4 million to remedy McCoys Creek flooding, create neighborhood-friendly spaces, improve recreational opportunities, and protect the environment. The natural restoration of McCoys Creek is currently under construction, while Hogans Creek stream restoration design is slated for completion in 2026. Both restoration efforts involve addressing numerous constraints such as road and utility crossings, soil contamination, private land acquisition, stakeholder interests, which interact with the creeks’ low-lying physical setting, typical of Florida coastal watersheds.

While keeping citizens safe from flooded roads and polluted flood waters is the highest priority, the City’s plan also includes returning the creeks to the beautiful neighborhood amenity it once was. The projects also represent an important neighborhood beautification and economic development project that will provide opportunities for recreation and natural amenities, right in the city’s downtown. Once built, the project will

  • Restore ecological functions to repair damage and degradation to the creeks
  • Mitigate flooding
  • Improve water quality in the creeks
  • Increase habitat for fish and wildlife
  • Create safe creek access for active and passive recreation
  • Build resilience through nature-based solutions and green infrastructure

Organized By: Guillermo Simon, Halff, Kay Ehas, Groundwork Jacksonville, and Dylan Ford, Groundwork Jacksonville

Technical Tour: Explore Riverfront Plaza and Park Street Restorations by Tuk Tuk

(ticketed event) | Capacity: 25 participants

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 3-6 p.m.

2.5 PDH Hours

$95 ADV | $95 ONS

The group will travel by motorized tuk tuks as we view the nearly completed Phase 1 of the Riverfront Plaza in downtown Jacksonville.  This tour will include recent renovations made to an elevated destination playground on top of a park pavilion building, as well as a new bulkhead, riverwalk, and a plaza space connecting Riverfront Plaza to the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. We are anticipating that Phase 1 will be open to the public in early 2026. During the construction of Phase 2, a beer garden, rain garden, and a bike and pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge will be added to the Riverfront Plaza.  Phase 2 has started in the Fall of 2025 with an anticipated completion in 2027.

The group will then travel to Park Street area, which is being transformed into a shaded multimodal street, seamlessly connecting LaVilla and the Regional Transportation Center with the Five Points and Riverside neighborhoods.

The project focuses on upgrading roadway infrastructure in the Brooklyn neighborhood to boost pedestrian and bicycle connectivity while improving safety for all users. Enhancements include sharrows, on-street parking, wider sidewalks, narrower roadway widths for safer crossings, and the addition of street trees for shade and accommodation of sidewalk cafes.

These improvements will link Park Street to the Emerald Trail and McCoys Creek Greenway, fostering economic growth by creating an inviting and attractive environment for businesses and retailers.

This tour is non-refundable due to the Tuk Tuk advance rentals, but can be transferred to another participant if cancellation is necessary.

Organized By: Guillermo Simon, Halff

Technical Tour: St. Johns River Tour

(ticketed event) | Capacity: 23 participants

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 3-6 p.m.

2.5 PDH Hours

$95 ADV | $95 ONS

The group will travel by boat on the St. Johns Riverkeeper’s River Exploration (RiverX) and will immerse participants in the natural world of the St. Johns River through an educational, on-the-water experience. The St. John Riverkeeper  education team utilizes the river as a resource for furthering participants understanding of the science of the river dynamics as well as an opportunity to explore the interconnectedness of our economy, community interaction, and river health.

Organized By: Lisa Rinaman, St. Johns RiverKeeper, and Guillermo Simon, Halff

jump to top