Join other local bicycle/ trike riders with or without e-assist for a casual fun moonlight ride! This is an easy 8 mile ride Bay Street to Laurel and back, no cross streets. This is not a sponsored ride and your safety is your responsibility. After the 8 miles, you will have the option to extend the ride from Bay Street to Central Sarasota and back. The ride will be led by an experienced leader from Real Bikes. To join, riders must have a helmet, front and rear bike lights. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult rider. Meet at the Osprey Junction Trailhead parking lot, 939 E. Bay St., Osprey RSVP at moonlightridelegacy@gmail.com please include Your Name, # of riders and contact phone #

The Ride for a Better Community supports the Venice Yacht Club’s Charitable Foundation with its support for Nutrition, Education and Shelter for Children, Veterans and Youth Boating. For more information, please visit our web site at: https://veniceyachtclub.com/vyccf.php

Join us for a 12 or 6 mile bicycle ride around Venice Island and breakfast on the bay to support:

• All Faiths Food Bank 
• Family Promise of Sarasota County 
• Big Brothers & Big Sisters
• Jewish Family & Children Services
• Our Mother’s House
• Family Haven
• Special Ops. Warrior Foundation 
• The Library Foundation for Sarasota County
• Southeastern Guide Dogs
• Venice High School MJROTC
• ….and many others

Registration is $50 per rider (includes breakfast). Additional breakfasts are $16 each.

Florida Greenways and Trails System Plan Update

The Office of Greenways and Trails is updating the Florida Greenways and Trails System Plan, and the Opportunity and Priority maps. They have rescheduled their public meetings that were cancelled due to Hurricane Ian. The time and location of the Sarasota area meet is given below. If you are unable to attend, you can view their maps and timeline on their their website and send any comments to OfficeofGreenwaysandTrails@floridadep.gov. The public comment period will end after the last public meeting on February 16^th 2023.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

DATE AND TIME: January 31, 2023, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

PLACE: Selby Public Library, 1331 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236

     Since 1989, Sarasota County has levied a one-percent sales tax which can be used only for local infrastructure improvements. Seventy-five percent is allocated to the County and its municipalities ( Longboat Key, North Port, Sarasota, Venice ). Twenty-five percent is allocated to Sarasota County schools. This sales tax has a sunset provision, meaning it will expire on December 31, 2024, unless it is renewed for 15 years. ( It was extended twice before. ) On the general election ballot being held November 8, 2022, Sarasota County voters will be asked whether this tax should be continued.

     As required by state law, proposed uses ( project list ) of the sales tax monies must be identified in advance of a vote. Sarasota County is earmarking nearly $80 million for its park and recreation system including monies for: a Nathan Benderson Park Connector Trail, a Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Program, and a Safe Routes to Schools and Legacy Trail Connectivity Program. The City of North Port is committing money for a Legacy Trail Extension Trailhead and Warm Mineral Springs improvements such as trails, bridges, and picnic shelters. The City of Sarasota will use the sales tax dollars for the Bobby Jones Nature Park and a potential “North Legacy Trail.” All these governmental bodies receiving revenue have plans to improve parks and/or streets and sidewalks.

     Interestingly, the project list is part and parcel of the vote, meaning the new tax dollars must be used for the projects already identified. A Citizen Tax Oversight Committee is created ( maintained ) to ensure proceeds are used only for infrastructure and listed projects.

     At its meeting on July 11, 2022, the Friends of The Legacy Trail Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution supporting continuance of the sales tax. That resolution states in part: “… ( the eligible units of government ) have identified park and transportation projects which would either directly benefit the Legacy Trail and its connectors or which would enhance destinations our membership would enjoy and utilize ….”

     If you are a Sarasota County voter, please consider the merits of the one-percent sales tax extension and vote accordingly on November 8.

Thank you.

Louis W. Kosiba
President
Friends of The Legacy Trail

It’s April!! The exciting 2022 Giving Challenge will be here this month. Mark your calendars for April 26-27, noon to noon! This 24-hour giving event will connect the Friends of The Legacy Trail with passionate donors and community members to support the new, longer, improved Legacy Trail and all it brings to Sarasota County. The trail is enjoyed by full-time and seasonal residents; local, national, and international visitors; bicyclists and walkers, families and singles, old and young, totaling nearly 525,000 users in the last 12 months!

On April 26, start donating your gifts of $25-$100 at noon, and they will be matched by The Patterson Foundation dollar for dollar. Additionally, we have received two anonymous Challenge Grants that will each match the first $1,000 received. These three match opportunities will make your $100 donation worth $400!!!

#BeTheOne to help Friends of The Legacy Trail continue to strengthen and enhance this local asset that brings great value to the Sarasota County area!

You can donate securely online during the Giving Challenge at www.givingchallenge.org and search for Friends of The Legacy Trail! Participate in #GivingChallenge22 and support Friends of The Legacy Trail along with other area non-profit organizations!