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American Trails names Florida as Best Trails State in the Nation!

The Best Trails State Award was presented to the State of Florida-Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways & Trails on November 17th, 2008, during the National Trails Symposium in Little Rock, Arkansas. This first ever “Best Trails State Award” presented by American Trails recognizes Florida’s success in facilitating an outstanding statewide system of trails.

Florida has embraced the value of greenways and trails with an enthusiasm and level of quality that is a model for the nation”, said Bob Searns, Chairman of the Board of Directors for American Trails.  “Exemplary programs like the Office of Greenways and Trails online trails database and regional trails forums have set a standard.  Local and regional projects are delivering a first class infrastructure for residents and an example for tourists to take back home.”

Following its legislative mandate, the Office of Greenways & Trails (OGT) has played a lead role in working to establish a statewide system of greenways and trails including master planning, legislation, funding, and program implementation. OGT has entered into many forms of partnerships to accomplish the planning, acquisition, development and management required to bring greenways and trails projects to reality. For all that OGT and its partners have achieved in furthering the establishment and expansion of the state’s trails network during the past two years, Florida has been honored as the inaugural recipient of this award.

American Trails is the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests. Since 1988, American Trails has made it a part of its mission to promote cooperation among user groups and pursue a national infrastructure of trails and greenways that serves a full range of activities.



Resurfacing of the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail

The St. Marks Trail was the first rail-trail in the State trail system to be paved.  After 20 years of service, it’s time to address wear and tear, as well as safety issues such as bumps, dips, crumbling edges and drop offs at the edge of the pavement.   These improvements are necessary for safety and to make the trail more usable for recreational users, especially those on thin tire bicycles and in-line skates.  While resurfacing the trail surface is the primary objective of this project, during this process it will be also widened to 12 ft. in most areas. The trail currently has an 8 foot wide paved surface. For more information, please see the status update (PDF 26 kb).


Please “Pardon our Progress” on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

Good things are happening on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail! We appreciate your patience as we move forward. Every effort will be made to minimize disruptions, but be please prepared that several construction projects to retrofit and/or repair certain historic bridges and to develop additional sections of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail are scheduled to take place over the coming months. For more information, see the Trail Conditions updates in the Highlights menu and Trail Talk (PDF 488 kb) newsletter for road work updates.  


 

National Trails Day® Bike Ride on the Nature Coast State Trail


Celebrate “National Trails Day®” on June 6, 2009 with a fun, open, low-key ride on the smoothly paved Nature Coast State Trail!  Ride options range from a few miles for beginners up to 64 miles for experienced cyclists.  The historic railroad bridge that crosses the Suwannee River near Old Town is a favorite option (about 12 miles from Trenton) and the rural landscape along the trail offers a peaceful experience for family ride groups. Please note that Florida law requires helmets for children age 16 and under; all cyclists are encouraged to wear helmets. The ride starts at 9:00 am at the  Old Train Depot, 419 North Main Street, Trenton, Florida (25 miles west of Gainesville on SR 26). For more information, see the event flyer or contact Kirk Marhefka at Kirk.Marhefka@dep.state.fl.us; 352-535-5181.


 

 




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The Office of Greenways & Trails (OGT) is working to establish a statewide system of greenways and trails for recreation, conservation, and alternative transportation. Our efforts are guided by a legislatively adopted plan titled "Connecting Florida's Communities." View a summary of the plan (PDF 1.5 mb).

The Office of Greenways & Trails works directly with local communities, developers, private landowners and state and federal agencies to facilitate the establishment of the statewide system of greenways and trails.

  

Last updated: June 01, 2009

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