For Immediate Release: Oct. 6, 2011
DEP
CELEBRATES IMPROVEMENTS TO
TALLAHASSEE-ST. MARKS TRAIL
~Ribbon
cutting commemorates a fresh look for Florida’s first paved state rail-trail~
Event participants cut the ribbon during the reopening of the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail today.
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s
(DEP) Division of Recreation and Parks, Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) celebrated
the reopening of the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail today. DEP held a special grand reopening and ribbon-cutting
ceremony to mark the completion of a resurfacing and widening project and to
invite community members and visitors to take advantage of these improvements.
Designated
as a National Recreation Trail, this 16-mile multi-use trail was Florida’s
first paved rail-trail. The Trail was originally built with an 8-foot wide
surface, but after 20 years of service, OGT widened the Trail to 12 feet to
meet current state and national standards. It also resurfaced the Trail to
address wear and tear and safety issues. Today’s ribbon cutting marks the
Trail’s return to full service as a key recreational and economic resource for
the region.
“Today
we celebrated not only the Trail’s return to full service, but also the
recreational value and economic significance of Florida’s trails and
greenways,” said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. “Trails are so
much more than a corridor of pavement. They enhance communities, promote
tourism and connect people to the local natural and cultural resources.”
Florida
Park Service Director Donald Forgione was the keynote speaker at today’s event,
while the Chief of the Office of Greenways and Trails, Jim Wood, served as the
emcee for the morning’s festivities. In addition, Kerri Post, Senior Marketing
Director for Visit Tallahassee, spoke about the benefits of the trail to local
tourism and Harry Reed, Executive Director for the Capital Regional
Transportation Planning Agency, discussed the benefits of the Trail as an important
component in the non-motorized element of the Regional Mobility Plan and the
developing Capital City to the Sea Loop.
Susan
Matthews, Supervisor of National Forests in Florida with the U.S. Forest
Service, also joined the program to highlight partnerships and new properties,
including land that connects the Munson Hills off-road bike trail to the North Trailhead
of the St. Marks Trail. Representatives from the Capital City Cyclists
and the Southern Trailriders Association also shared accolades and appreciation
for the improvements. The event culminated with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and
light refreshments provided by the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation,
Inc.
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