Alliance staff joins Jupiter community for Greenway celebration

JUPITER, Florida — East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano and National Greenway Director Allison Burson joined the Town of Jupiter and its partners Thursday for a designation ceremony recognizing the Jupiter Riverwalk as part of the East Coast Greenway. 

 “It was an honor to stand alongside the East Coast Greenway’s incredible state and local partners in celebration of Jupiter’s commitment to trails, connectivity and outdoor recreation,” said Markatos-Soriano, who presented an update on the Greenway at the Florida Greenways and Trails Council annual meeting earlier in the day.

“Nearly 70% of the Greenway’s spine route in Florida is complete or at an advanced stage of development, and this new segment is a significant addition as we strive to complete the Greenway in Florida and beyond. I can’t wait for local residents and long-distance travelers to experience remarkable sunrise views through the Jupiter Inlet and sunset views of the Loxahatchee River.”

In Palm Beach County, the East Coast Greenway connects Jupiter’s redevelopment area to Tequesta, Jonathan Dickinson State Park and beyond into Martin County, linking more than four miles of connected trails and sidepath. The trail crosses the Loxahatchee River, one of only two National Wild and Scenic Rivers in the state.

The Riverwalk is a multi-phased corridor that runs primarily along the eastern shoreline of the Intracoastal Waterway from the Jupiter Ridge Natural Area north to the Jupiter Inlet. When completed, the Jupiter Riverwalk will provide public access to approximately 2.5 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Jupiter Inlet, linking environmentally sensitive lands, residential, marinas, commercial properties, as well as waterfront parks.

Connections to the south through Jupiter and along the Riverwalk are nearly complete with the remaining gaps planned and scheduled for funding. At the special marker designation ceremony, Markatos-Soriano spoke alongside Jupiter Mayor Jim Kuretski, Palm Beach County Mayor Maria Marino and representatives of the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization, Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

“When we connect places, we connect people … Pathways like this make everyday trips safer, healthier and more enjoyable,” said Kuretski. “They support our small local businesses, reduce congestion for short hops and let families choose a trip that’s measured in footsteps instead of fuel.”

“This is yet another beacon of connectivity, but you know, the East Coast Greenway is so much more than a trail … It is a pathway that connects people. It connects communities, it connects nature,” said Chelsea Reed, chair of the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“This new Jupiter Bridge segment shows us what happens when we work together. It is a perfect example of the mission of our Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is to plan, prioritize and fund mobility projects that move people, not just cars, and that is why we're here today.

Hosted by volunteer docents, a reception at the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, which dates to 1860, followed the ceremony.

In recent months, Alliance team members have joined local partners to celebrate trail openings and ground-breaking in Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia — and now Florida.