Action News Jax meteorologist and morning traffic anchor Marithza Ross radiates the kind of unforced charisma that keeps groggy viewers engaged as they sip their first cup of coffee.
But after nearly a decade as one of the station’s most popular personalities, the Nocatee wife and mom is taking her talent for invigoration in a new direction — as executive director of the St. Johns County Parks Foundation.
“I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity,” Ross told The Citizen with characteristic zeal — despite waking at 2:45 a.m. that day. “I’m really passionate about where we live and all the recreational opportunities we have in St. Johns County. I want to help us enhance them.”
Ross, who will leave Action News Jax at the end of December, is already remaking the organization from the ground up, renovating its website and social media channels while expanding outreach efforts.
Although St. Johns has an abundance of parks and recreational facilities, the county only adopted the foundation model in 2020. These nonprofits have gained popularity nationwide as intermediaries between private donors and municipalities.
The foundation can secure grants, accept land donations, seek sponsorships — and then transfer those assets to the local government for management, Ross said.
“They can be a really powerful tool,” she noted. “I’m excited to reintroduce the foundation and showcase its potential to residents.”
The organization, she said, can support everything from developing a brand-new park to smaller initiatives, like installing a pickleball racket holder at a local court.
“We can make enhancements that the county may not be able to or work alongside them to make it happen faster,” she said.
The native Texan, who moved to Jacksonville about a decade ago, cited recent foundation projects as examples of its future potential.
In May, it funded the successful relocation of the Canright House, a home that was targeted by firebombs and gunfire during the Civil Rights Movement.
The foundation also accepted a significant land donation at Longleaf Pine and Greenbriar Road in 2023, which will be developed for recreational use.
An outdoor enthusiast and proud pickleball fan, she said her new position melds her twin loves of fresh air and community engagement.
The new gig, Ross said, will let her engage both — but won’t require a 2:45 a.m. alarm and 27-minute commute to Jacksonville.
“I’m ready,” she said with a smile.
When she’s not behind the camera, Ross is out and about in her home county — and tapped these four spots as favorites.
- Treaty Park: Ross said this location has historical significance as the first place she picked up a pickleball racket and began her love affair with the sport.
- St. Augustine Beach: “Icee machine and hotdogs at the pier shop…Need I say more?”
- Swing Playground in St. Augustine: “It’s just such a beautiful playscape.”
- Nocatee Paddle Launch: “The scenery of the trees, the marsh, and river is just so peaceful.”
2 Responses
Congrats Marithza! You’re going to be great!
Congrats! A great article. Proud of all your accomplishments.