Jacksonville Review – October 2025 Issue

THE WOODLAND TRAILS enjoyed by thousands of people every year are a valuable asset to our community. Whether they’re used for exercise, as a way to escape the everyday hustle and bustle of life, or investigating the variety of flora and flora is immaterial. The fact that they’re there, in good condition, and enjoyed by anyone is the most important aspect.

The City of Jacksonville, the Woodlands Association, and the volunteers who help to maintain the trail system are only that, the arm of government that keeps our trails well maintained, and safe for all users.

The issues that face volunteers in maintaining trail integrity vary from soil conditions, water movement, safety, cleanliness, types of use, and enforcement. If you’ll permit me, it is the last three items I wish to briefly address.

Keeping the trails clean is so easy. I like to think that most of the debris accidentally escapes someone’s grasp, but that’s not always the case. Dog waste gathered in a plastic bag, left along the trail for trail fairies to collect is unacceptable. Please carry it out and dispose of it correctly. If there is a tissue or something on the trail that doesn’t belong there, it’s easy to pick up and carry out. Remember, these are your trails, so be proud of how they look.

Hikers have the ultimate right-of-way, followed by runners. Unmotorized bikes are allowed, as long as they maintain speeds slow enough to stop or slow without skidding when they encounter others and then should only be ridden when the soils are dry.

The third issue is enforcement, and this is where we all can take part. As I’m sure you’re well aware, our local police department can’t be everywhere. They’re kept busy patrolling our streets, answering emergency calls, and keeping the city safe. The same holds true for the Woodlands Association. We’re not out on the trails all the time, but in varying degrees, YOU, the public are. I implore you, if you see someone in violation of trail etiquette, picking flowers, or behaving in a manner unsafe to general users, please politely ask them to alter their tactics by slowing down, picking up their dog waste bag, and continue enjoying the fragile jewel in the crown of our little hamlet.