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The Legacy Connection
November 2022
 

Post-Hurricane Update
Out of the darkness comes the light. Photo of powderpuff mimosas, also known as sunshine mimosas, a native, low-growing Florida groundcover, by Jim Cranston, taken from the Legacy Trail near the Colonia Lane crossing.

The Legacy Trail and the North Port Connector largely survived Hurricane Ian, but we know that many residents in Southwest Florida are still recovering, and our thoughts go out to them. 
There were many downed trees and branches along the Legacy Trail but they have all been cleared and the trail is completely open and operating. The North Port Connector trail is open as well.
Thank you to the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources staff for their work on clearing the trail. Many volunteers contributed as well.
The Venetian Waterway Park (west side) did not fare as well. An area of the trail near the Venice Municipal Airport was washed out and is closed.
Please use caution at the intersections of the Legacy Trail at Bay Street and Central Sarasota Parkway. The overhead signs are down and the crossing lights are not working.
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North Port Connector Opening
On September 9, the North Port Connector opened to the public. The completion of this trail marks the end of Sarasota County's construction work on extending the Legacy Trail to downtown Sarasota and creating the connector to North Port. One can now ride from North Port all the way to downtown Sarasota, making this lengthy route a dynamic contribution to the region's overall trail system. More information can be found here and a map can be found here.
 
Photo courtesy of Sarasota County
Check out this great video footage of the North Port Connector by FLT business member Eric Johnston on EBike Florida Rail Trails.


From the President

By Louis Kosiba
Friends of The Legacy Trail

Support the Sarasota County One-Percent Sales Tax

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 November 8 general election ballot, Sarasota County voters will be asked whether this tax should be continued.

As required by state law, proposed uses of the sales tax monies must be identified in advance of a vote. Sarasota County is earmarking nearly $80 million for its parks and recreation system, including funds for a Nathan Benderson Park connector trail, a bicycle and pedestrian improvement program, a safe routes to schools program, and a Legacy Trail connectivity program. The City of North Port is committing money for a Legacy Trail Connector trailhead and Warm Mineral Springs improvements, such as trails, bridges, and picnic shelters. The City of Sarasota will use the funds for the Bobby Jones Nature Park and a potential "North Legacy Trail." All of these governmental bodies receiving revenue have plans to improve parks and/or streets and sidewalks.

At its meeting on July 11, the Friends of The Legacy Trail Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution supporting continuance of the sales tax. That resolution states, in part, that because these projects would directly benefit the Legacy Trail and its connectors, and enhance destinations our membership would utilize and enjoy, the Board supports the one percent sales tax.

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.


From the Vice President
and Volunteer Coordinator

By Rita Miotti
Friends of The Legacy Trail
A Thank You to Our Volunteers — and a Call for Volunteers

When I started with Friends of The Legacy Trail as volunteer coordinator in 2017, we were in the midst of a huge effort to convince Sarasota County to extend the Legacy Trail eight miles to the north into Payne Park in downtown Sarasota. Volunteers were extremely important in helping to demonstrate the strength of the community commitment to this exciting undertaking.

Whether attending important Sarasota County Commission meetings in our bright yellow shirts; helping to staff a multitude of information tables to gather petition signatures; selling memberships and t-shirts; raising funds to support our efforts; or working to educate the public about the value of this project for the area and the importance of voting in support of the initiative to extend the trail in the November 2018 election, volunteers have been a huge part of making the Legacy Trail extension a success.

We sincerely thank the hundreds of volunteers who continue to strengthen Friends of The Legacy Trail and our activities year after year.

We are currently planning our 2023 information tables so that we can get out on the trail to talk with users and continue our membership and fundraising efforts. Several of our board members are dedicated in giving their time to all events but we always need volunteers interested in helping with the popular information tables and other volunteer opportunities as well (see below for helmet fitting volunteers).

The value of our members and volunteers is immeasurable. Please come join us!

If you are interested in joining us at our information tables (usually Saturday mornings, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.), please contact me as soon as possible (volunteers@friendsofthelegacytrail.org)! You don’t have to volunteer for every week. Even one day a month helps. Thank you!

Helmet Fitters Needed
The State of Florida requires that any bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is fastened securely on the head by a strap and that meets the federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. 
Friends of The Legacy Trail has a program to provide free bike helmets to children under 16. To do this, we need trained volunteers who are certified to properly fit the helmets for the users. If you are interested in becoming a trained helmet fitter, please contact FLT Volunteer Coordinator Rita Miotti here. Thank you to all our volunteers.

T-Shirts Now Available Online
Our popular Friends of The Legacy Trail t-shirts are now available for sale online.

All shirts are 100 percent polyester, breathable, moisture-managing interlock fabric with a UV protection/UPF 50+ and will not shrink when washed.
 
The women’s v-neck t-shirts are available in safety yellow, dark raspberry, and light aqua in either short-sleeve or long-sleeve. They are slightly fitted, run true to size, and are available in sizes small – 2XL.
 
The men’s shirts have a crew neckline and are available in safety yellow and neon green. The crew-neck shirts have a more relaxed cut. They run true to size and are also available in both short-sleeve and long-sleeve. Most colors are available in sizes small – 2XL.
 
Please note: Due to supply chain limitations, some colors and styles may not be available. Buy your t-shirt here.
This month's "Updates from the Trail" is written by Leanne Hinson, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Trails Coordinator

All hands on deck following Hurricane Ian!

Following the hurricane, Sarasota County Natural Areas and Trails staff immediately got to work on debris management and removal on parks, preserves, and trails throughout Sarasota County. Our focus has been to restore safety to the cherished recreational opportunities of our community.

The Legacy Trail has since been cleared of all downed trees and debris and is open. Our Transportation Department is working diligently to fix the issues with the intersection signals at Bay Street and Central Sarasota Parkway. For the time being, please use extra caution at these intersections until they are resolved.

The west portion of Venetian Waterway Park between the Circus Bridge and Casperson Beach Park suffered a massive erosion event during the hurricane requiring closure of that portion until repairs can be conducted. Sarasota County will be working with the Army Corps of Engineers and West Coast Inland Navigation District on that project, which should be starting very soon and is estimated to be complete by the end of the year.

Thank you all for your patience in the last month as we have been responding to storm damage along the Legacy Trail and adjacent trail systems. Hope to see you out there!

Stay in the Know!
Sarasota County has a designated web page for Legacy Trail updates. You can sign up here to receive periodic email announcements about the trail.

Gulf Coast CycleFest November 6
Riders at the start of Gulf Coast Cyclefest 2019. Photo by Paul Petrus/Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club.
47th Annual Gulf Coast CycleFest
"A Day in Paradise!"
Sponsored by Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club
Sunday, November 6, 2022

For more information and to register, visit the Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club (SMBC) website here.

Registered participants will experience a cycling paradise in the lush and beautiful Lakewood Ranch area where they can have fun while riding bikes safely. Tropical-themed activities include a free Hawaiian lei at the finish line for every rider and a post-ride party with Caribbean music. 

The ride starts and ends on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. As always, breakfast, lunch, and well-stocked rest stops are included, along with friendly volunteers, well-marked routes and maps, SAG support, and local bike shop repairs along the route. CycleFest 2022 features scenic route options from 16 to 100 miles in length with rest stops at local Florida landmarks. The course layout and support services encourage all riders to stretch their abilities and achieve a mileage goal.

Gulf Coast CycleFest funds SMBC donations that promote bicycling in the community and support the club's bike safety and advocacy programs. In 2021, SMBC donated $40,000 toward the expansion of the Legacy Trail, which is used by many thousands of area residents and visitors each year.

Friends of The Legacy Trail will have an information table at the event.

CLOSED:
Osprey Junction Trailhead
Osprey Junction Trailhead will be under construction for park improvements until the winter and will be closed during this time. Please utilize a different trailhead for parking. See below for additional Legacy Trail parking locations.

Ashton Trailhead: 4301 Ashton Road, Sarasota
Legacy Trail Access - McIntosh Road: 7905 McIntosh Road, Sarasota
Laurel Park: 509 Collins Road, Laurel
Nokomis Riverview Park: 251 Riverview Drive S., Nokomis
Nokomis Community Park: 234 Nippino Trail, Nokomis
Legacy Park: 395 E. Venice Ave., Venice
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Thank You to Our Business Members
New member. Florida E-Bikes, located at 4248 Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
Thank you for supporting our business members because they support us!

A complete list of business members and their business cards can be found here. Businesses can join here.

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.

A GREAT GIFT!
Get Your Own Square Foot on the Trail!
Donate to Our Square Foot Campaign!
Total Amount Raised to Date: $119,015
Total Donations to Date: 863 
THANK YOU!
All Donations Improve
the Legacy Trail and Its Connectors.
Copyright © 2022 Friends of The Legacy Trail. All rights reserved.
Friends of The Legacy Trail is a 501(c)(3). Our mission is to support, promote, enhance, and protect the Legacy Trail and its trail connectors, now and for future generations.

This newsletter is edited by Sharon Donovan.

Our mailing address is:
Friends of The Legacy Trail
P.O. Box 792
Osprey, FL 34229

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