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WITHLACOOCHEE STATE TRAIL – As Florida celebrates
Greenways and Trails Month, the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) announces the addition of
a new motorcycle to the Division of Law Enforcement’s
fleet. Funded by DEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails,
the Kawasaki KLR 650 motorcycle will be used to patrol
the state’s trails in Central Florida.
“We are pleased to participate in this partnership,
which will further protect our trails, visitors and
resources,” said DEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails
Director Jena Brooks. “The support shown by the Division
of Law Enforcement provides safety to our visitors.”
The new motorcycle will be used primarily on the
Withlacoochee State Trail to patrol the area and respond
to emergency calls. In addition, the vehicle will be
used at the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway,
Van Fleet State Trail and nearby state parks. The
motorcycle will allow law enforcement officers to serve
a large coverage area, providing increased protection to
the trails, resources and visitors of Florida’s
greenways and trails.
“With the addition of the new motorcycle to our fleet
we can better serve and protect the trails with more
coverage,” said DEP Park Patrol Chief Elwood Stephens.
“This motorcycle will allow us more access to our trails
and enable us to better assist our visitors.”
The Office of Greenways and Trails manages eight
state trails in addition to the Marjorie Harris Carr
Cross Florida Greenway, Florida's longest green corridor
stretching 110 miles from the St. Johns River near
Palatka to the Gulf of Mexico. Of the eight state
trails, six are rail-trails, which are former railroad
corridors restored and converted to recreational trails
for hiking, biking, equestrian use and rollerblading.
Over the last six years, the State added more than
450 miles of trails and more than 3,860 acres to the
Greenways and Trails system. Through Florida Forever,
the State’s premier land acquisition program, $4.5
million dollars is spent annually to purchase land for
Florida’s greenways and trails.
For further information on Florida trails, visit
www.FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com. | .
