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Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail
On January 1, 2004 management of the Palatka to Lake Butler corridor
transferred from the Division of Recreation and Parks (DRP) to the
Office of Greenways & Trails (OGT).
The purchase of the property was funded under P2000/Greenways and Trails
Program. The project is located along the former Norfolk-Southern Railroad right-of way,
and will be constructed on top of the existing abandoned railroad bed.
The Palatka to Lake Butler State Trail corridor stretches
approximately 45-miles from the vicinity of SR 238 in Lake Butler
to west of US 17 in Palatka. There are plans to connect St. Augustine
to Lake City by this trail system, making the total length of the
trail over 100-miles. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
through the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century Act (TEA-21) is
providing the funds for the Palatka to Lake Butler corridor.
The Conceptual Management Plan was approved on April 15–April 16, 2004 by the Acquisition and
Restoration Council (ARC)
The Bureau of Design and Recreation Services consulted with George
and Hutcheson, Inc. to complete a Feasibility Study of the corridor.
George and Hutcheson, Inc. looked at the corridor to see what
remediation is necessary/feasible. Based on their recommendations, the
recreational trail will be designed as a 12-ft. multi-use trail, which
will include parking, and amenities.
Construction of the corridor will be completed in phases. FDOT is
administering the contract and has contracted with Vallencourt
Construction Company for the first section of the trail
Design-Build. The first phase is from the Bradford County Line to
the beginning point of the existing trail at NW Berea Avenue in
Keystone Heights, and from the end of the existing trail at
Commercial Circle in Keystone Heights to the Putnam County line, a
distance of approximately 5.2 miles.
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