|
Portions of Legacy Trail North Extension Now Open
|
|
The opening of the new Legacy Trail North Extension in early July was like the unwrapping of a big gift — a brand new paved trail for walking, bicycle riding, jogging, or just enjoying the outdoors. Tropical storm Elsa unfortunately prevented the county from holding its ribbon cutting ceremony, but Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Director Nicole Rissler improvised a few days later while on the trail (see below), explaining in this video the segments of the Legacy Trail North Extension that are open. The public can now enjoy the entire length of segment 1, which goes from Proctor Road to Bahia Vista Street, and the portions of segment 2 between Culverhouse Nature Park and Sawyer Loop Road, and from just north of Ashton Road to Proctor Road.
|
|
With the opening of the new trail segments comes new roadway intersections, which are highlighted in this video with Sarasota County Director of Public Works Spencer Anderson (see below). Several of these intersections on the Legacy Trail North Extension are multi-lane road crossings in more urban high-traffic areas than the southern parts of the Legacy Trail. Please proceed with caution at these new crossings and use the signals for your safety.
|
|
|
Be the First to Know What's Happening
Follow Us on Social Media!
|
|
Work is well underway at the Ashton Trailhead site, which is expected to open late fall 2021. Construction crews continue to work on the restroom building at 4301 Ashton Road, Sarasota, for future trail and trailhead users. The trailhead also has three picnic shelters constructed and preliminary site layout and grading in place. Additionally, there is a playground planned, along with an area for food trucks. More information about this trail amenity in this video.
|
|
|
The Legacy Trail . . . a great place to walk with a friend!
Eight-month old Australian Shepherd Teddy is admiring the beautiful new trail at the Sawyer Loop Road entrance while practicing his down stay as his owner takes photos! Thank you to this owner for having Teddy on a six-foot leash to protect him from bikes — and vice versa.
|
|
|
Grant for Legacy Trail North Port Connector
Friends of The Legacy Trail would like to recognize the Gulf Coast Community Foundation for its recent $50,000 donation to Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources toward a stop station for the Legacy Trail North Port Connector. The foundation’s longtime support of the Legacy Trail is greatly appreciated by Friends of The Legacy Trail.
✺
|
|
|
|
Tour de North Port Returns!
|
|
The 11th Annual Tour de North Port
“It’s the Green Pumpkin!”
Sponsored by People for Trees
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Registration is now open here for this fun, organized, on-road scenic bicycle ride with routes of 15, 35, or 65 miles that travel through some of North Port’s most beautiful natural settings, featuring the Florida pine flatwoods and the parks that border Myakkahatchee Creek, with each route having its own color-coded road markings. Tour de North Port is not a race.
The event includes breakfast donated by First Watch, a catered lunch, delicious desserts (including not-to-be-missed homemade pies), fully-stocked rest stops with homemade snacks, and full mobile support-and-gear (SAG) vehicle provided by Louie’s Bicycles of North Port and Real Bikes of Venice. Pre-registration online by October 22 is $50, day-of is $55. Groups of six or more, $45 each.
The first 400 to register will receive a free ride t-shirt and goodie bag. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. for check-in and breakfast, with group starts beginning at 8:00 a.m. from Imagine School, 2757 Sycamore St., North Port. Early pick-up for registration packet/t-shirt and check-in available on Saturday, October 23, 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., during the Taste of North Port Food Fest at the City Center Front Green (4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port). In-person registrations will also be accepted during this time, for $50. For online registration and more information, go here or visit People for Trees, or contact Alice White, (941) 468-2486, treelady12001@yahoo.com.
Proceeds benefit the efforts of People for Trees, a local nonprofit native tree advocacy group, since 1997 educating the public about the importance of maintaining and protecting our native tree canopy.
Friends of The Legacy Trail will have an information table at the event.
(Photo by Matt Houston/Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
|
|
|
T-Shirt Design Contest
September 27 – October 22
|
|
|
Share in the Legacy of the Legacy Trail!
The Friends of The Legacy Trail first-ever t-shirt design contest is coming up later this month!
Watch for the entry packet link on our website and on our social media pages. Everyone who receives our newsletter will also receive an email with a link to the entry form.
In addition to cash prizes for the top three entries, the winner will have their design on Friends of The Legacy Trail t-shirts that are sold throughout the area and featured in our newsletter, on our website, and on social media.
|
|
|
This edition of "Updates from the Trail" is by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Trails Coordinator Sam Wright, who is filling in for Megan Eidel.
As usual we have been very busy with the maintenance of the existing Legacy Trail and the newly opened portions of the North Extension. We have observed increased use of the new sections and we expect that to continue as more segments open. We are planning for the opening of segment 2 in early October — stay tuned!
We recently completed a large invasive plant removal project near the U.S. 41 overpass in Venice. We removed and/or mulched about an acre of non-native Brazilian peppertree and bishopwood. Soon we will replant the area with native plants.
|
|
|
The selection process for plants in this area will be similar to the recent planting that we did at the Historic Venice Train Depot. Selected plants will not only be regionally native but also habitat specific. This increases the likelihood of success and provides natural habitat for native wildlife. For example, one of the passionflowers that we planted already has caterpillars of the Gulf fritillary butterfly on it (see photo). Native passionflower is one of the host plants for this species of butterfly.
|
|
|
Please be aware that the southern end of the Venetian Waterway Park (east side) next to Shamrock Park will be closed for the next month. Contractors will be working on repairing the concrete in this section. This section of the trail will remain closed during the maintenance work. We apologize for the inconvenience.
In Venice, the county is planning a new access point to the Legacy Trail. Contractors have started constructing an access path from Patriots Park to the trail. The path is located just north of the U.S. 41 overpass. Construction will go on for several weeks with a tentative completion sometime in October. The trail will remain open but please use caution when passing the construction area.
Contractors have also started pavement striping along the entire length of the trail. For the next few weeks, they will be working in sections and will partially close the trail so users can still pass. Please go slow and use caution.
We are looking for a few hardy volunteers who are interested in helping us restore natural habitat by removing invasive plants.
If you have any question, comments, or concerns about the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources management of the trail, feel free to reach me at sawright@scgov.net.
|
|
Thank You to Our Renewing Business Member
|
|
|
|
|
Mention FLT for a 20-minute discovery visit for $20.
|
|
Please support our business members as they support us and the Legacy Trail.
For more information about our business member or sponsor program, please visit this page on our website.
|
|
|
Be the First to Know What's Happening
Follow Us on Social Media!
|
|
|
Do You Want What We Want?
Consider Joining Us!
Your Membership Makes Us Stronger!
Just $15 for Individuals, $20 for Families.
Join Here.
Thank You.
|
|
📝 Stories from the Trail 📝
Friends of The Legacy Trail wants to hear from you!
Have a good trail story to tell? Want to share what the trail means to you? We will be running some of these stories in our upcoming newsletters. Submit your stories (200 words or less) to news@friendsofthelegacytrail.org.
|
|
|
Friends of The Legacy Trail T-Shirts
Friends of The Legacy Trail t-shirts are available through our website. We have short-sleeves, long-sleeves, v-necks, crew-necks, and four different bright colors (colors other than yellow are limited).
|
|
|
|
A GREAT GIFT!
Get Your Own Square Foot on the Trail!
Donate to Our Square-Foot Campaign!
Total Amount Raised to Date: $97,463
Total Donations to Date: 765
THANK YOU!
All Donations Improve
the Legacy Trail North Extension
|
|
|
|
This newsletter is heading into its off-season schedule. We will now be running on a bi-monthly schedule until November (July, September, November).
|
|
|
|
|
|
