For Immediate Release: Oct. 3, 2011
CELEBRATE FLORIDA GREENWAYS AND TRAILS MONTH THIS
OCTOBER
~Florida’s state greenways and trails are perfect venues for fall hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and paddling~
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Rick Scott proclaimed
the month of October as Florida Greenways and Trails Month, celebrating the
important recreational and economic benefits of Florida’s greenways and trails.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service,
Office of Greenways & Trails welcomes this annual occasion to recognize
communities throughout the state as they host events on the more than 600 miles
of beautiful greenways and trails in Florida
“Greenways and Trails Month offers Floridians and visitors
the opportunity to come together and celebrate the wealth of natural resources
available to them throughout the state,” said Florida Park Service Director
Donald Forgione. “This is the perfect time of year to take a long stroll on
your favorite trail or dust off your bike and find some great new riding spots
along Florida’s state trails.”
To commemorate
Florida Greenways and Trails Month, DEP will hold a special reopening ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Tallahassee-St.
Marks Historic Railroad State Trail. The event will take place at the north
trailhead in Woodville to celebrate the newly resurfaced and widened 16-mile
multi-use trail. After more than 20 years of service, Florida’s first
paved rail-trail has been widened to 12 feet, to meet current state and
national standards.
“Florida
is home to a wide variety of nature-based recreational opportunities,” said
Kent Wimmer, Chair of the Florida Greenways and Trails Council. “October is a
great time of year to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and explore the
state’s many beautiful trails, parks and forests.”
Events throughout the state will highlight the value of
Florida’s greenways and trails as an affordable, accessible source of
recreation and effective boost to Florida’s tourism. During Fiscal Year
2010-2011, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway and state trails
managed by the Office of Greenways & Trails welcomed more than 4 million
visitors, generating an estimated $94 million in economic impact. A recent
study conducted by the East Central
Florida Regional Planning Council concluded that three trails in Orange County
supported 516 jobs and an estimated economic impact of $42.6 million in 2010.
Developed in
response to increased demand for trails by Florida
visitors, VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, created a website that provides a range of travel-related information for
more than 100 trails throughout Florida. Those
ready to hike, bike, paddle or horseback ride on the state’s unique system of
trails and greenways can visit www.VISITFLORIDA.com/trails.
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