Florida Gulf Coast Trail

The Tampa Bay area in Hillsborough County is a dynamic urban area with no shortage of activities, from shoreline beaches and restaurants to downtown nightlife and entertainment. The Florida Gulf Coast Trail in this area aims to provide alternative modes of transportation that ease congestion on the roadways, link the public to local businesses, create places to play and exercise, and offer breathtaking views of the bay along the bridges. TPL is working with the county and other stakeholders to close the gaps on the existing trails and support the projects that are already underway, such as the modernization of the Howard Frankland Bridge, which will include a designated bike/pedestrian path connecting Hillsborough County to Pinellas County.

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Pinellas County has a deep history with rail-trail corridors, beginning in 1983 when the community came together around a shared interest in creating a safe place to bike, stroll, and jog. The Pinellas Trail started with a six-mile segment and has been steadily building from one end of the county to the other. In 2005, TPL contributed to the expansion of the trail by securing a 2.1-mile rail corridor that brought the trail into downtown St. Petersburg, where it provides a popular mode of transportation in a vibrant urban environment. Today, TPL is working with local agencies and community groups to close some of the gaps along the trail and improve its connections to other counties for the next generation of trail users.

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The Florida Gulf Coast Trail in Manatee County is one of the more geographically diverse as it aims to connect coastal areas in the west to urban and rural communities in the east while bridging counties to the north and south with a trail network that offers a variety of experiences. Two major rivers, the Manatee and the Myakka, may be accessible for trail users wishing to observe wildlife along the waterways. In the urban areas, the trail will endeavor to alleviate road congestion by improving alternative modes of transportation and improve access to the outdoors for multiple neighborhoods. Throughout the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, TPL champions cost-effective, high-yield wellness opportunities that trails are proven to provide.

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Sarasota County boasts one of the best greenway trails in the state, with 20 miles of a paved path blazing through the spine of the county, from Venice in the south to Sarasota in the north. The Legacy Trail came about through a citizen-led collaboration with the county and Trust for Public Land. TPL is now working with the community on three connector routes from the Legacy Trail: south through North Port to Charlotte County; east to Nathan Benderson Park; and west to Anna Maria Island. The latter two will link up with Manatee County. The Legacy Trail is a top travel destination for visitors from around the world, including Canada, Sweden, France, and the United Kingdom.

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The slogan for a visitor bureau in Charlotte County is “Our Best Side Is Outside,” which is why trails are such a natural fit for this community. The Florida Gulf Coast Trail aims to connect the cities of Englewood, Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda within Charlotte County and to Sarasota County in the north and Lee County in the south. One of the proposed segments would connect the Myakka State Forest to Deer Prairie Creek Preserve along River Road. Future access to other natural areas includes the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park, the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, and Tippecanoe Environmental Park. The trail will be in close proximity to the coastal areas of Boca Grande and Manasota Key.

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The most exciting development happening with the Florida Gulf Coast Trail in Lee County involves the conversion of an old rail corridor into a 14.9-mile greenway ​​connecting people and neighborhoods to schools, shopping areas, jobs, and local parks and preserves. The Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) will begin at Alico Road, near the John Yarbrough Trail, and travel south through Estero and Bonita Springs to the Railhead Scrub Preserve in north Naples. The southern end’s location may afford the opportunity to connect to the Paradise Coast Trail in Collier County. TPL is a key collaborator with local governments and community groups, including Friends of BERT, that are working hard to bring the benefits of this trail to residents and visitors.

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Welcome to the Paradise Coast! With access to Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, Collier County is a premiere destination for outdoor adventure. The county recently established an ambitious land conservation program, which complements TPL’s efforts to develop the Florida Gulf Coast Trail in this area. The north end of the trail will include access to the Railhead Scrub Preserve, North Collier Regional Park, and the new Paradise Coast Trail. From there, one can reach the Rich King Memorial Greenway on the east side of Naples and continue through to the Gordon River Greenway and beyond.

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