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The Legacy Connection
February 2023
 

2023 Trust for Public Land Tour de Parks in March
Benefitting the Legacy Trail and all that it brings to our community, the annual Tour de Parks fundraiser on Sunday, March 19, 2023, is a great way to spend the day with friends and family while exercising and enjoying various parks along the ride.

Organized by Friends of The Legacy Trail, the Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club, and Sarasota County, there are three different routes offered to participants: distances of 21, 35, and 62 miles going through 12 scenic parks in Sarasota County. Friends of The Legacy Trail is grateful to the Trust for Public Land for being the lead sponsor.

You can register now by going to the Friends of The Legacy Trail website or Active.com.

The ride includes breakfast, snacks at rest stations, and lunch after the ride. All this and a t-shirt (for the first 650 riders) for $55 if you register early. The price goes up on February 21. Last year we had close to 800 riders.

The ride will begin at the Historic Venice Train Depot, rain or shine. Final routes are still being confirmed and will be posted on our website. There will be a packet pickup prior to the event at Real Bikes, Bicycles International, and Sarasota Cycle. Registrants can also get their packets at the event.

If you would like to inquire about other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Louis Kosiba at louiskosiba24@gmail.com or Michelle Stanley at stanleymichelle2@gmail.com.
 
Photo above of the 2019 Tour de Parks
courtesy of Ken Munson Photography.


From the Vice President and Volunteer Coordinator

By Rita Miotti
Friends of The Legacy Trail
   FLT Is Seeking New Board Members 

Are you interested in becoming more involved in your community? We may have a role for you!

Friends of The Legacy Trail (FLT), a nonprofit organization based in Sarasota County, is currently looking to fill four positions on its board of directors. Terms are for a 12-month period from June 1 to May 31, although the board can fill a position for a portion of a term if there is a vacancy. 

Each of our board members takes on specific assignments and is expected to attend monthly board meetings (in-person or via video conference), participate in FLT events, represent FLT in the community, and advocate on behalf of FLT.

FLT is an all-volunteer organization and there are no paid staff positions. All board members are volunteers who are willing to be actively involved. Membership in FLT is required to be on the board. Full- or part-time residents are welcome to apply. 

Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest, including any information to support consideration for the position, to: President, Friends of The Legacy Trail, P.O. Box 792, Osprey, FL 34229, or via email at volunteers@friendsofthelegacytrail.org.
 
It’s not all hard work; we have a lot of fun and meet wonderful people on the trail while giving back to our community.

Visit Us on the Trail
Now that we've hit the high season here in Southwest Florida, Friends of The Legacy Trail will be setting up our weekly information table along the trail on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, weather permitting.

Follow us on social media for the weekly location (see links below). We will announce our location along the trail on the Thursday and/or Friday before. 

Come visit us for information on trail developments, individual and business memberships, volunteer opportunities, and to shop for t-shirts and other merchandise.     
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Legacy Trail Bicycle Riders
Saved My Life
Editor's note: We occasionally receive "stories from the trail," but this one was extra special. A number of good people helped save Mike Wendling's life on the Legacy Trail one day, and he never knew how to thank them. He asked if he could share his story below in the hopes of reaching them. He wasn't sure if they ever knew whether their efforts paid off — "and they did in a big way," said Mike.
By Mike Wendling

I am happy to share my story as evidence of the camaraderie and helpfulness of fellow Legacy Trail riders, as well as to thank these unsung heroes.
 
I enjoyed riding the beautiful Legacy Trail for 8,000 miles over seven years. Unfortunately, on January 13, 2019, I suffered a widow-maker heart attack/cardiac arrest just as I stopped at Laurel Road. My wife arrived 15 minutes later to see a group of people helping. One gentleman was giving me CPR while several others assisted. They relentlessly continued CPR until the ambulance arrived.
 
Doctors refused to operate for three days until it was determined that there was no brain damage because CPR was administered. Doctors then performed a successful quintuple heart bypass surgery. Today, four years later, I still enjoy riding the trail in 10-mile increments.
I am tremendously grateful to the unsung heroes who stopped and immediately gave me CPR, without giving up. I must also thank the other heroes: the EMTs and the nurses and doctors at Venice General Hospital.
 
The trail has acquired a reputation for helping others in need. Once I had a flat and, without tools, had to walk. Two gentlemen stopped and fixed it. As I offered to pay them, they said, "No money, just help out the next person in need."

Legacy Trail fan Rich Tyson interviewed Friends of The Legacy Trail Board President Louis Kosiba for this video about the Legacy Trail and its new trailheads. Check it out by clicking on the image above. 
 
Cooler weather has arrived and the trail is busy!

We are slowly building our trails team back up, and I’m hoping by next newsletter I’ll have several new staff to introduce. In the meantime, I appreciate everyone’s patience as we get through this busy season. Our main focus right now is preparing for our upcoming trailhead opening. 

Osprey Junction Trailhead Opening

As a sweet Valentine’s Day treat, we will be celebrating the opening of the Osprey Junction Trailhead on February 14. The trailhead will open after the event, which begins at 10:00 a.m. We are so excited to be able to provide trail users with another beautiful trailhead. The site improvements include a new restroom, paved and un-paved parking, shade structures, and walking paths.

Bifurcated Paths Along the Legacy Trail

On another portion of the Legacy Trail, we are in the design phase for the addition of bifurcated trails — paths that will run parallel along portions of the Legacy Trail, which can be used by slower-paced users, such as pedestrians, dog walkers, strollers, and children learning to ride their bikes. The addition of these parallel paths will enhance user safety and etiquette. 

As part of the Legacy Trail extension project, space was created along portions of the trail for the possibility of bifurcated trails. The current design includes parallel paths along different portions of the trail from Ashton Road to South Shade Avenue. The first phase of construction will occur between Beneva Road and South Shade Avenue. 

Funding for the construction of the bifurcation project came from a grant with matching funds from Friends of The Legacy Trail and the Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club. A big thank you for their support in this future trail enhancement.

Survey for Parks and Program Opportunities

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources wants your input. Follow this link to participate in our community survey. This quick survey helps shape future parks and program opportunities.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to reach me at meidel@scgov.net.

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.

If You Notice Any Issues Along the Trail...

Sarasota County 311 non-emergency service requests may be submitted through scgov.net/311 or the 331 Connect mobile app at any time. Customer service representatives are available by dialing 311 (or 941-861-5000 if you're located outside Sarasota County) between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday with the exception of holidays. Service requests will be processed during regular business hours. In an emergency, please dial 911.
 

County employees Collin and Norgie were spotted on the Legacy Trail pruning low-hanging tree limbs and picking up a substantial amount of vegetative debris from Hurricane Ian that has been piled along the trail. Please thank them for their efforts when you see them.
 
Photo courtesy of Roger Normand
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Web Site
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Thank You to Our Business Members

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.
New member: Endless Summer SRQ Tours and Rentals. FLT members receive 20% off.
New member: The Bike Shop SRQ.
Renewing member: TreeUmph Adventure Course. FLT members receive 10% off all regular price tickets using promo code "FLT."
Renewing member: Dan Barzel.

Get Your Own Square Foot on the Trail!

Donate to Our Square Foot Campaign!
Total Amount Raised to Date: $120,635
Total Donations to Date: 871
THANK YOU!

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.

Legacy Trail Moonlight Bicycle Ride
Sunday, March 5, 2023, 6:20 p.m.

Join other local bicycle/trike riders, with or without e-assist, for a casual, fun-filled moonlight ride! This is an easy eight-mile ride from Bay Street to Laurel Avenue and back, no cross streets. After the eight miles, you will have the option to extend the ride from Bay Street to Central Sarasota Parkway and back. The ride will be led by an experienced leader from Real Bikes. To join, riders must have a helmet, and front and rear bike lights. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult rider. This is not a sponsored ride and your safety is your responsibility. Meet at the Osprey Junction Trailhead parking lot, 939 E. Bay St., Osprey. RSVP at moonlightridelegacy@gmail.com. Please include your name, number of riders, and contact phone number.
The 6th Annual
Ride for a Better Community
Sunday, February 19, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
A 12-mile or six-mile bicycle ride around Venice Island and breakfast on the bay.
Venice Yacht Club, 1330 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice 
Register here.

The Ride for a Better Community supports the Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation and its support for youth boating, health and education, veterans and active military, the environment, and civic improvement.
📝 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.
Copyright © 2023 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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