|
ORLANDO – Recognizing the value of greenways and
trails within our communities, the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Greenways and
Trails today brought together national and state experts
for the Greenways and Trails Forum for Orlando Area
Development Professionals. Presented at the Rosen Centre
Hotel, the forum was designed to inform development
professionals about the planning, design and benefits of
trail systems.
“Coordinating the planning efforts of the private
sector with public projects is essential to create a
regional network of greenways and trails, and this forum
is a critical step towards forming the partnerships to
make that network a reality,” said Jim Wood, Assistant
Director for DEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails.
“Florida’s trails connect communities to our
conservation lands, offer fitness opportunities and
present alternative transportation routes through
natural landscapes.”
Today’s forum brought together developers,
landowners, resort operators, greenways and trails
experts and regional and national planners to discuss
strategies for expanding Central Florida’s network of
greenways and trails. The speakers showcased examples of
developments that incorporate well-planned, connected
trails and greenways into the design. In addition, the
forum provided training on the fundamentals of trail
planning, design and management.
DEP’s Office of Greenways & Trails is working to
establish a statewide system of greenways and trails for
recreational and conservation purposes. A connected
network of greenways and trails improves the health and
quality of life of communities by making recreation
areas accessible to more people, providing alternative
transportation and conserving native ecosystems and
landscapes.
The Office of Greenways and Trails manages eight
State Trails, including 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. DEP also maintains five
rail-trails, which are railroad tracks restored and
converted to recreational trails for hiking, biking and
skating.
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
future trail areas and build and maintain Florida’s
greenways and trails.
For more information about greenways and trails,
visit
www.FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com. | 
