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Welcome to the Fall 2010 Edition of Connections! |
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Message From the Director
Dear Friends: October is Florida Greenways and Trails Month-the perfect time of year to celebrate and enjoy Florida's fantastic, natural outdoor playground! The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways & Trails (OGT) invites Florida's communities to host events featuring the state's beautiful greenways and trails and highlighting their recreational and economic benefits. Recognizing the value of trails and greenways to the state's tourism industry, the Sunshine State's official tourism marketing corporation, VISIT FLORIDA, will soon launch an exciting new "Trails-Tourism" component to its website. In bringing together trail descriptions and maps with information about lodging, restaurants, outfitters and other travel related services, trails and greenways will now join the ranks of destinations such as beaches, resorts, golf courses and themed attractions.The VISITFLORIDA.com "Trails-Tourism" feature premieres on October 4--be sure to visit the website and help us spread the word about this great new resource. To reach a statewide audience with news of your Greenways and Trails Month event, we invite you to complete the registration form which is available at FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com. Trail-related activities will be posted on the OGT website throughout October. You may return the form by email, fax or mail. For more information, call toll free: 1-877-822-5208 or visit FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com. Sincerely, Jena B. Brooks
Jena B. Brooks, Director Office of Greenways & Trails |
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Florida Greenways and Trails Month Opens to Advance Florida Trails-Tourism
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Withlacoochee Bay Trail -- Photo by John Moran
Florida Greenways and Trails Month will be particularly important this year as the Sunshine State's official marketing corporation, VISIT FLORIDA, launches the nation's first comprehensive state level trails-tourism website on October 4. This new website, a component of VISITFLORIDA.com, is expected to dramatically advance Florida's trails by providing invaluable travel planning information to visitors and residents. The website will bring together trail descriptions and maps with information about lodging, restaurants, outfitters and other travel related services. Trails will now be featured traveler destinations alongside beaches, resorts, golf courses and themed attractions.
The initial response following a sneak peek provided to trail and tourism partners during a September 8 webinar has been excellent. Pam Gluck, Executive Director of American Trails, the national non-profit organization that recognized Florida as Best Trails State in America in 2008, said, "The new trails website is very professional and exciting. Once again, Florida is on the cutting-edge!" To view the full webinar, visit the VISIT FLORIDA partner center webpage.
The Office of Greenways & Trails (OGT) is playing an instrumental role in helping bring this project to fruition. OGT has provided the trail descriptions and data to VISIT FLORIDA for more than 100 trails that will debut at the launch of the site. However, this is just the beginning. The project partners want to expand the website over time to include a wide range of trails. OGT will serve as the continuing liaison between communities and VISIT FLORIDA for submission of new trails. For further information about the new website, including instructions for submitting a trail to the site, please see this Frequently Asked Questions document at FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com. |
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| New October Events Premiere in the Cross Florida Greenway Region
Family-Friendly Fall Bike Ride
Saturday, October 9, 2010
9 a.m.
Nature Coast State Trail, Old Trenton Depot (about 25 miles west of Gainesville)
Enjoy a fun, open, low-key ride ranging from a few miles up to 64 miles on the smoothly paved Nature Coast State Trail! The Trail offers a peaceful, rural landscape and features a historic railroad bridge that crosses the Suwannee River near Old Town. The ride is free; light refreshments will be provided but the ride is not otherwise supported. Participants are required to check in and register at the Trenton Depot. Helmets are recommended for everyone and required by Florida law for children under 16. For information, contact Kirk Marhefka at (352) 535-5181 or email Kirk.Marhefka@dep.state.fl.us.
1st Annual GreenFest
Saturday, October 9, 2010
10 a.m. -Sunset
Town Hall Park, Welaka, South Putnam County
Spend the day on the beautiful St. Johns River, learning about the work of the Putnam Land Conservancy and environmental conservation while enjoying a wide range of outdoor activities. The event is free and will feature live music, food from a variety of vendors, "Hike, Bike, Hoof & Paddle" Poker Runs for fun and prizes, geocaching and a bike rodeo for the kids. For more information, call (386) 336-5400 or visit putnamlandconservancy.org.
Tour De Green Swamp
Saturday, October 23, 2010
7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail, Polk City Trailhead
Come out, come out wherever you are for the first annual "Tour De Green Swamp" bike ride on the General James A. Van Fleet State Trail! Distances range from one mile up to 60 miles for experienced cyclists. The ride is supported with sag stops; registration is $12 and the first 100 participants will receive a "Tour De Green Swamp" T-shirt. Come as you are or in Halloween costume! Free for children 10 and under who come in costume! Proceeds will be donated to the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation, Inc. Helmets are recommended for everyone and required by Florida law for children under 16. For more information, contact Bre Ximenes, email Bre.Ximenes@dep.state.fl.us or call Mike McCarthy at (352) 516-7384, email Michael.McCarthy@dep.state.fl.us.
Ride of the Living Dead
Saturday, October 30, 2010
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cross Florida Greenway, Ross Prairie Trailhead, Dunnellon
Be part of the first ride of its kind!! The Ocala Mountain Bike Association invites mountain bikers to join in 50 miles of "ghoulish" riding in a one-day, fully supported tour of the Santos trail system. Starting at Ross Prairie Trailhead on Highway 200, ride all the way to the Santos Trailhead for a full lunch before the return trip back to the Ross Prairie Trailhead. The ride includes the option for expert riders to conquer the challenging "Red" trails and make it a Metric Century Ride (100 KM or 62 miles in all!). Visit omba.org for more information. This ride, which is $40 for members or $45 for non-members, is limited to the first 350 applicants, so do not delay!! Register at active.com.
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"Rails to Trails of the Withlacoochee" Bike Ride
This popular event on Florida's longest rail-trail is now in its 16th year.
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Withlacoochee State Trail
The Withlacoochee State Trail is a paved, 46-mile long former railroad corridor that is the site of a perennially popular annual bike ride scheduled for Sunday, October 3, 2010. Riders can travel as little as one mile to as much as 100 miles along this Trail, which is mostly level with light rolling hills that are home to a variety of wildlife. Registration is $25 and proceeds are used to help provide enhancements and improvements to the Withlacoochee State Trail. Five stops along the way will provide water, sports drinks and food. Continental breakfast and light lunch will also be available. Visit railstotrailsonline.com, click on link "Bike Ride in October" to register. Start time is 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., rain or shine--no mass start. Call (352) 527-9535 or email wiltz@tampabay.rr.com for more information. |
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Bike Florida's Fall-Winter Tours
Featuring the 3rd season of touring the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop
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Ravine Gardens State Park, Palatka -- Photo by John Moran
On October 2, Bike Florida opens its series of week-long fall-winter tours along Florida trails and connecting routes. Tours continue monthly through February along the 260-mile St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop. Originating in St. Augustine, the tours include a long houseboat drift, a ferry crossing direct to one bed-and-breakfast, visits to the tallest lighthouse in Florida, to the largest mineralogical museum south of Harvard and to a nationally esteemed steamboat workshop and museum. For tour fees and registration information, visit BikeFlorida.org.
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Don't Miss the American Trails National Symposium
 After Florida Greenways and Trails Month winds down, be sure to attend the American Trails National Symposium in Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 14-17. The Symposium, presented by American Trails, is your best opportunity to network with the nationwide trails community and learn state of the art trail planning, development and management techniques. The Symposium addresses both non-motorized and motorized issues and the vision for trails and greenways nationwide. Dozens of speakers and keynote presenters will share new ideas, innovative techniques and diverse perspectives from across America. For more information, visit americantrails.org. |
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Looking Forward to A Thanksgiving Encounter of the Healthful Kind
Celebrate nature's bounty by hiking the Big "O"
November 20-28, 2010
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Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail -- Photo by John Moran
Now is the time to plan for the 2010 Big "O" Hike around the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Sponsored by the Florida Trail Association (floridatrail.org), this Thanksgiving week event features daily hikes to complete the 110-mile trail which includes a section of the Florida Trail. Highlighting the week's activities is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Clewiston Inn, including a talent show in which all hikers are welcome to participate.
There is no charge for the hike, however, donations are accepted to help cover costs of first-day activities. Friends and family are welcome to participate in a day hike at any time. Campgrounds/motels and meals are at the hiker's expense. Participants should not contact the campgrounds directly as they have been pre-reserved for this event.
The Florida Trail Association provides a booklet for the 2010 Big "O" Hike for a minimum donation of $6 or a HIKE KIT for a minimum donation of $20 (which includes the 40-page booklet with comprehensive information about the hike, as well as a T-shirt, maps and accommodation information). To order a kit or for more information, contact Paul Cummings at (561) 963-9906 or email cummingsps@att.net.
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Florida Greenways and Trails Month Calendar Highlights
Outdoor events criss-cross the state from late September (National Public Lands Day is September 25!) and throughout the month of October. Here's a sample of the listings in our regionally organized online calendar-for details on these and many more events, see FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com.
September 18-25
Hidden Coast Paddling Festival-Cedar Key (Cross Florida Region)
September 22-26
12th Annual Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival-Marathon (South Region)
September 25
International Coastal Clean-up-North Palm Beach (South Region)
October 2
Bird Walk/Book Swap-Blackwater Heritage State Trail-Milton (Panhandle West Region)
Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day-Cross Florida Greenway-Ocala (Cross Florida Region)
Flagler's Key West Bike Tour-Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail-Key West (South Region)
October 3
"Rails to Trails" Bike Ride-Withlacoochee State Trail-Inverness (Cross Florida Region)
October 9
GreenFest: hiking, paddling, biking, equestrian activities-Welaka (Cross Florida Region)
Family-Friendly Bike Ride-Nature Coast State Trail-Trenton (Cross Florida Region)
October 14-21
Paddle Florida Trip on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail-Live Oak (North Region)
October 15-17
Fall Withlacoochee River Equestrian Trail Ride-Jasper (North Region)
October 16
Florida Trail Hike and Pioneer Days Festival-Blountstown (Panhandle East Region)
Islamorada Pedal-Paddle-Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail-Islamorada (South Region)
October 23
Century Bike Ride-Blackwater Heritage State Trail-Milton (Panhandle West Region)
Stone Crab Festival-St. Marks (Panhandle East Region)
Low Tide Bike Ride-St. Augustine (North Region)
Tour De Green Swamp-General James A. Van Fleet State Trail-Polk City (Cross Florida Region)
Plantation Preserve Bird Walk-Plantation (South Region)
October 29-November 7
Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival-Bonita Springs to Pine Island Sound (West Central Region)
October 30
27th Annual Spaghetti 100 Bike Ride-Miccosukee (Panhandle East Region)
Endless Summer 10K Run/Walk-St. Augustine (North Region)
"Ride of the Living Dead" Mountain Bike Ride-Dunnellon (Cross Florida Region)
October 31
Intracoastal Waterway Century Bike Ride-Cocoa Village (East Central Region)
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