Route for Gulf Coast Trail Connection to The Legacy Trail Approved by MPO
On May 22, 2023, the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) unanimously voted to adopt a recommended route for a SUN Trail connection to The Legacy Trail. The map below shows the recommended route. The route is now eligible for SUN Trail funding through FDOT, and federal funds through the MPO process.
From west to east: This alignment begins at the Legacy Trail and heads east/north in easements through the Eastwood subdivision to Fruitville Rd. After crossing Fruitville Rd, the recommended alignment follows the Circus Trail to Bobby Jones Golf Course. The trail goes through Bobby Jones Golf Course and the 17th Street Regional Parks, east on 17th St to Honore, then up to Nathan Benderson and across I-75 to Lakewood Ranch Blvd and along Blue Lake Rd to Lorraine Rd. The total length of the route is approximately 8.3 miles. A car/bike/pedestrian overpass over I-75 is currently being design by FDOT. Click here for more info in the overpass design.
The map below shows details of the recommended route through the Bobby Jones Golf Complex and through the 17th Street Regional Park. Click here for more info about this route segment (Option 2 adopted).
Ringling Trail Complete Street Recognized as
Project of the Year
Sarasota, FL (April 26, 2023): The Ringling Trail Complete Street was recognized as the Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Florida Chapter during its annual conference in Jacksonville last week. Assistant City Engineer Dan Ohrenstein, project team co-lead along with Capital Projects Manager Camden Mills, accepted the award on behalf of the City of Sarasota.
“This was the first protected bicycle lane project in the Sarasota-Manatee region, coupled with lane repurposing, and community conversations occurred during the pandemic,” said Assistant City Engineer Dan Ohrenstein. “More cyclists are traveling between The Legacy Trail and downtown core since the protected bike lanes were installed along the Ringling Trail and that’s translating into economic growth,” said City Manager Marlon Brown.
Click here for more information about this project and the award.
New Deer Prairie Creek Bridge and Parking Area
Now Open!
The ribbon cutting ceremony was held Tuesday, March 28 at the Deer Prairie Creek south parking area. The new facility provides a southern access point to Deer Prairie Creek Preserve that is easily reached from Tamiami Trail. In addition to the new bridge, the site includes improved parking, a new kayak launch, a new fishing/observation pier, and a new picnic shelter. The bridge provides access to the natural-surface Alphabet Trail, which connects to the paved Legacy Trail North Port Connector, as shown in the map below. Click here for more information, pictures and a drone video of the bridge placement.
Total To Date: $123,640 from 888 Donations.
Help Us Fund Amenities on the Trail and its connectors. Donate square feet of The Trail and know the GPS location of your square feet!
Click Here to Get Your Part of The Trail!
Current Donor List
Here are the locations of the next available square feet:
In Sarasota
In Palmer Ranch
