Pinellas Trail
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fred E. Marquis Pinellas Trail | |
|---|---|
 Section of the Pinellas Trail |
|
| Length | 34 mi; 55 km |
| Location | Pinellas County, Florida, United States |
| Trailheads | Tarpon Springs, Florida St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Use | Cycling, Walking, Hiking, Jogging, Inline Skating |
| Trail Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Season | Year round |
The Fred E. Marquis Pinellas Trail is a rail trail in Florida.
Located in Pinellas County, it stretches from Tarpon Srings in the north to St. Petersburg in the south, passing through the following communities:
- Crystal Beach
- Palm Harbor
- Dunedin
- Clearwater
- Largo
- Seminole
- Bay Pines
- South Pasadena
- Gulfport
- Ozona
It is generally used for exercise and leisure (such as walking, jogging, cycling and inline skating), but can also be used as an alternative to driving. Motor vehicles, other than wheelchairs are prohibited on the trail. The distance of the main trail currently covers 34 miles (55 km).
Contents |
[edit] History
In 1983, a man whose son was killed while riding his bike helped form the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organizations Bicycle Advisory Committee. This committee, in conjunction with the Pedestrian Safety Committee, wanted a safe place to enjoy cycling, hiking or jogging. At the same time, Pinellas County officials had the problem of what to do with a 34 mile (55 km) corridor of abandoned CSX railroad right-of-way.
On December 1, 1990, the first five mile (8 km) stretch of the trail opened linking Taylor Park in Largo to Seminole Park in Seminole. The trail’s popularity exceeded all expectations, and with the passage of the first Penny for Pinellas one-cent local option sales tax, plans were made to connect the rest of the county.
In 2003, the trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail in the National Trails System by United States Department of Interior, National Park Service.
[edit] Timeline
- 1888 The Orange Belt Railway arrives in St. Petersburg.
- 1983 Railroad right-of-way purchased by Florida Department of Transportation.
- 1984 Pinellas Bicycle Advisory Committee proposes using the right-of-way as a bike route.
- 1988 Pinellas Trails Inc. forms, expands the idea to a linear park and promotes public support.
- 1989 The Pinellas Trail Project is approved by the Board of County Commissioners and they allocate $1.5 million to build a 15 mile (24 km) segment. County voters approve the Penney-for-Pinellas sales tax referendum with funding to complete 35 miles (56 km) of trail.
- 1990 Two Trail preview sites are built near Seminole City Park and at Curlew Road and Alt. 19 in Dunedin. Five miles (8 km) of the Pinellas Trail from Taylor Park to Seminole City Park are completed on December 1st.
- 1991 The first Trail overpass opens over Ulmerton Road, Largo.
- 1992 Trail from Taylor Park to Ozona opens. The West Bay Drive overpass in Largo is completed.
- 1993 Trail from Seminole City Park to St. Petersburg opens. The Trail overpass at Orange Street and Alt. U.S. 19 opens.
- 1994 St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs sections of the Trail open.
- 1996 Park Boulevard overpass opens in Seminole.
- 1997 Seminole Boulevard and 113th overpasses in Seminole open. The downtown Clearwater section opens and construction on the Cross Bayou Bridge begins.
- 1999 The Friendship Trail Bridge (old Gandy Bridge) linking Pinellas County and Hillsborough County opens.
- 2000 Cross Bayou Bridge opens in Seminole.
- 2001 Park Street overpass near Tyrone Boulevard opens.
- 2002 Central Avenue, 1st Avenue South and Pasadena Avenue overpass opens.
- 2003 Pinellas Trail designated as a National Recreation Trail in the National Trails System by United States Department of Interior, National Park Service.
[edit] Future
When completed this unique linear park will convert approximately 47 miles (76 km) of unused railroad easement and other rights-of-way into a trail for runners, bicyclists, walkers, skaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
[edit] Trivia
- The Pinellas Trail was named in honor of Fred E. Marquis, former Pinellas County Administrator who served from 1979 until 2000.
- An average of 90,000 people use the Trail each month.
[edit] References
- About the Pinellas Trail
- Pinellas Trail Guide
- Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization
- A Short History of the Pinellas County Trail System
