SarasotaLegacyTrail.com

The Sarasota County Commission voted  to extend county’s Legacy Trail


The Legacy Trail will be getting longer.


Construction videos below.


Back in Sept 29, 2017, the Sarasota County Commission voted to buy 2.7 miles of unused railroad right of way for a northward extension of the popular jogging, walking and biking trail. Unless something went wrong, county govern-ment will extend the trail from its northern terminus — at Culverhouse Nature Park, near Palmer Ranch Parkway — to Ashton Road. (Currently, the 12.5-mile trail links its northern terminus to Venice; a connection to the Venetian Waterway Trail provides access to South Venice beaches.)


But, wait, there’s more. November 6, 2018 our citizenry approved $65 million in additional funding to take the trail all the way to downtown Sarasota included bike bridges over Clark Road and Bee Ridge. Yes, by more than a two-to-one margin, Sarasota County voters cleared the way for a long-dreamed-of completion of the public trail that will nearly connect one end of the county to the other. Lastly as of April, the three new Trail Heads have been decided upon;


2.5 acre Ashton Trailhead at 4031 Ashton Rd.
1.6 acre Sarasota Springs Trailhead at 4010 Webber St.
5.1 acre Pompano Trailhead at 601 S. Pompano Ave.


New Map will be coming soon

The trail, built in 2007, has provided residents and visitors alike with opportunities for recreation, exercise and socialization. Friends of the Trail calculate the number of annual users is over 400,000! Furthermore, since the trail traverses some lovely natural areas, it has developed economic value in attracting ecotourism.


The two extensions will bring the Legacy closer to numerous neighborhoods, increasing home values along the route and dramatically increasing the number of residents, including teens and children, with access to the trail.


Since the trail is an amenity, as opposed to a necessity such as public safety, it made sense to ask voters if they value it enough to spend money on the extension.


The Friends of the Sarasota Legacy Trail, oganization mobilized support and urged other community groups favoring a longer trail to do the same. Local history has shown that government initiatives are more likely to gain the endorsement of voters if there is widespread public support at the grassroots level.


Below are videos showing the progress north of Clark road in early 2021. It wont be long now. Soon the paving will begin within a block and a half from our new home off Wilkenson Rd.

We cant wait.


Early Construction


Paving and great aerials

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