FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2015
SIX RECREATIONAL TRAIL PROJECTS TO BEGIN
~Projects develop new community recreational trails~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection’s Florida Recreational Trails Program announces
the execution of six contracts
for the development and renovation of trails. After being awarded competitive-grant
funds during the 2014 submission cycle, these six projects can now begin.
The Recreational
Trails Program provides competitive-grant funds to local communities to
renovate, develop or maintain recreational motorized, nonmotorized and mixed-use
trails and trailside facilities. Contract agreements are for two years, with
two one-year extensions permitted pursuant to the recreational trails program
administrative rule.
“The grant funds
provided by the Recreational Trails Program allow communities to plan and
develop trail projects that directly benefit residents and visitors,” said Rick
Mercer, director
of DEP’s Office of Operations. “Whether by foot, skate, bicycle or horse,
these trail projects provide a variety of recreational opportunities to the
community.”
The six contracts executed by the Recreational Trails Program are as follows.
-
The city
of Sanford – Funding will be used to construct the Terwilliger
Trail. This project includes construction of 2,600 linear feet of a 14-foot-wide asphalt multi-use trail and related support
facilities including signage, benches and shade shelters.
-
The
city of Fellsmere – Funding will be used to construct the Rail-Trail
Greenway (Trans Florida) along the former
Dinky Railroad. This project includes construction of 6,000 to 7,250 linear feet of
trails, including a 12-foot-wide, hard surface, multi-use trail, separate natural
surface equestrian trail, trailhead structure with a restroom and rest area, and
related support facilities.
-
The city
of Parkland – Funding will be used to construct the Pine Trail Park
Trail. This
project includes construction
of 3,500 linear feet of 8-foot-wide paved trail for pedestrians and skaters and related support facilities, including signage.
- The town
of Malabar – Funding will be used for the construction of improvements at the
Sand Hill Trailhead, along Marie Street. These improvements
include the installation of an accessible restroom compliant with the Americans
with Disabilities Act, at least two accessible parking spaces, a 10-foot-wide
concrete trail connection to the existing trail and related support facilities
including potable water.
-
Indian
River County – Funding will be used for the construction of the Martin Luther
King Trail. This project includes construction of 2,650 linear feet of 8-foot-wide stabilized trail and related support facilities, including signage. The
construction is located
in the Gifford Community, which is designated as a Governor’s Front Porch
Community. A
portion of the local match was provided by the Indian River County Hospital
District. The Hospital District supports revitalization and redevelopment by
providing recreational improvements.
- The city of Sunrise – Funding will be used for
the renovation of the existing trail at Shotgun Road Linear Park. The city will
replace 5,500 linear feet of asphalt surface with a 10-foot-wide Flexi-pave trail.
Flexi-pave is porous and composed partially from recycled tires. The city will
also install 10 pieces of exercise equipment at the park.
The Recreational
Trails Program is a federally funded assistance program of
the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Highway
Administration. A portion of the grant awards must be matched by the grantee.
In Florida, the competitive-grant program is administered by the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection’s Land
and Recreation Grants section within the Office of Operations.
| 
