Copy
View this email in your browser

2021 May In the Loop - News Flash 

Please download images to view this message

Inside
1. DeLeon Springs Ribbon Cutting, Ride and Picnic
2. Gobblers Gap Ribbon Cutting, Ride and Picnic
3. Big News from DeBary and SunRail 
4. Roadside Trail Chat Link
5. Bartram Frolic Report


1. Deleon Springs Ribbon Cutting, Ride and Picnic in DeLeon Springs State Park - May 22, 2021

 News Flash!

The St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance in celebrating two big trail openings in May with ribbon cuttings, rides and picnic in two of the most scenic spots in Florida!
 
On Saturday May 22 we celebrate the completion of the DeLeon Springs Section of the Loop and the connector to DeLeon Springs State Park.  Join us for a ride on the beautiful, shady Spring to Spring section from Fichter Trailhead to DeLeon Springs for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony,  to be followed by free entry to DeLeon Springs State Park and picnic lunch with optional swimming in the spring.   #bikedeleonsprings



Click this link for information and tickets 

Register early - only 30 people allowed into the park

Details:  Meet at Nadine and George Fichter Trailhead at 8:30 for a leisurely ride to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10:30 AM at Ponce DeLeon Blvd in DeLeon Springs.  From there continue to explore the short but scenic new section to Highway 17 and then ride back to Ponce Blvd to continue to DeLeon Springs Park for picnic and optional swim. Only a limited number of riders will be allowed into the park, since it will already be at capacity, so only registered and prepaid ticket holders will be allowed entry. You won't be able to purchase entry separately at that time.

Tickets include the ride, park entry and picnics. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids.  Ride only tickets (no park entrance or picnic) are also available for $10.  We are also seeking volunteers. 

Remember if you become a Trail Alliance Friend or Partner you will recieve a 25% discount on tickets. Trail Alliance Family Membership entitles you to the discount for your entire party.  Contact us for coupon code before registering.  Also if you purchase a T-shirt in advance you can pick it up at the event without paying the shipping fee. 




 


 

2. Gobblers Gap Ribbon Cutting, Ride and Picnic at Hickory Bluff Preserve Friday May 21, 2021

(Stay tuned for possible date change based on speaker availability)

The long awaited trail segment between Gobblers Lodge Trailhead and Guise Road east of Osteen is finally complete! On Friday May 21 we celebrate the completion of the Gobblers Gap – the section between Gobblers Lodge and Guise Rd east of Osteen that has prevented safe cycling between DeBary, Edgewater and Titusville.  With its completion we have 57 miles of continuous multiuse trail.  


Join us at Gobblers Lodge for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday May 21 at  10:30 AM.  From there a leisurely 5 mile ride riding west on the new trail segment to Guise Road and then south on Guise Road all the way to the end. You will then follow a road through deep forest to the beautiful secluded picnic site on the St Johns River. 

The route is paved, but the last hundred yards are a sandy road so unless you have wide tires you may need to dismount and walk through some sections to reach the beautiful river bluff.  There we will have a picnic lunch.  After lunch you can enjoy the shady trails in the preserve or if you want more distance you have 57 miles of paved trails to choose from so you can enjoy a long ride either east or west.


Tickets include the ride, reserve entry and picnic. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids.  Ride only tickets (no picnic) are also available for $10.  We are also seeking volunteers. 

Remember if you become a Trail Alliance Friend or Partner you will recieve a 25% discount on tickets. Trail Alliance Family Membership entitles you to the discount for your entire party.  Contact us for coupon code before registering.  Also if you purchase a T-shirt in advance you can pick it up at the event without paying the shipping fee. See details at River2SeaLoop.Org.




 



 

#bikegobblerslodge
#gobblerslodgetrailhead


 

3.  DeBary Station - Double Big News

Two big events for DeBary this week!  Bicycle Friendly Community of the Year Award and the 3-Panel sign at SunRail Station!
The Director of Florida Bicycle Association traveled to DeBary to present the city with the Bicycle Friendly Community of the Year award on May 5.  




The 3- Panel sign including the trail map was erected and dedicated at DeBary Sation on April 30.  The Mayor, County Council, and SunRail were among the people to speak at the dedication.    Lots of photos and text here.



In more Sun Rail News  watch Ella Ran of Outsiders USA take her bike on the Sun Rail to Orando.  YES - you CAN take your bike on the train from Orlando to our world-class trails.  or any point along the Sun Rail route... Here's Ella showing Orlando people how to come up and ride the River2SeaLoop!  



Or from here to Winter Park




 

4. “Roadside Trails Chat”  Video


FDOT, the agency that brings you the beloved SUN Trail program for multiuse paved trails and the Florida Scenic Highway Program, is sponsoring monthly Roadside Chats. This time it’s all about regional trails  - the St Johns River-to-Sea Loop, connecting trails and scenic byways. Click here to view the video.
 

5. Bartram Frolic Report

The weather threatened but we prevailed and in the end had a beautiful day at the Bartram Frolic in Palatka. Met a lot of new people including the Long Warrior Mico Chlucco, a friend of Bartram's realistically portrayed by Jim Sawgrass of the Florida Kuskogee Creek Tribe who later gave an amazing view into Native American culture and tools. We also enjoyed meeting William Bartram himself (portrayed by Mike Adams). There was a lot of interest in trails and the Loop and William Bartram's exploration along the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor. There was also beautiful cycling to Ravine Gardens State Park and on the Loop from Palatka toward St Augustine. Bravo to Sam Carr and the Bartram Trail Society for a great event.
 BartramTrailSociety.com

Trail Alliance Partner Program


Special thanks to our Trail Alliance Partners. Your support makes all the difference. Without you we could not continue our mission to advance, advocate, support promote and protect trails and increase active, equitable mobillty.  

Outsiders USA
Silvestry Investments
City of Deltona
DeLeon Springs Community Association
Sailforth Productions


 
In an effort to increase involvement, develop trail advocates and champions, and raise funds to allow us to continue our mission, the St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance has launched our Trail Alliance Partner Program.  The goal of this program is to encourage more businesses and decision-makers to take advantage of the many benefits of trails, bike-friendly infrastucture and equitable mobility to our area. 
 

We are especially interested in establishing partnerships with municipalities in our region. 
To jumpstart this program we are offering a 2021 Founding Municipality Partner rate of $100.  We already have one Founding Municipality - the City of Deltona which has joined at the Trail Contributor level.  Board Member Jerry Mayes invites city representatives to contact him at jmayes@deltonafl.gov  to arrange a meeting to explain the reasons and benefits for becoming a Founding Municipality Partner.

We also seek to establish partnerships with nonprofits.  To jumpstart this program we are offering a 2021 Founding Nonprofit Partner rate of $100.  We already have one Founding Nonprofit - the DeLeon Springs Community Association.  Board Members Pat Northey and Maggie Ardito invite noprofits to contact them at info@river2sealoop.org to arrange a meeting to explain the reasons and benefits of becoming a Founding Nonprofit Partner.

Trail Alliance Friends Program

For individauls and families who want to support regional trails, bike/walk/people-friendly infrastructure and equitable mobility, we are launching our 2021 Trail Alliance Friends Program. 





 

We want to keep you In the Loop
There's been a lot happening.   In case you missed our previous editions you can read them here:

April 2021 Update  

2021 Spring In the Loop

Thank you for reading.

If you have information, photos, announcements or articles you'd like to see in the upcoming "In the Loop" update please submit them. If you have questions, comments or corrections relating to this issue we'd love to read them.    
  send to info@river2sealoop.org
@SJR2C
River2SeaLoop.Org
Email
FL Greenway trails advocacy page
Copyright © 2020 St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance|, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
532 W Florence Ave, DeLand, FL 32720

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

 






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance · 532 W Florence Ave · Deland, FL 32720-3313 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp