State Takes Ownership of Longest Rail-Trail in Florida

TALLAHASSEE – On December 31, 2007, the State of Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Greenways & Trails officially took ownership of the longest rail trail in the state. Located in Brevard and Volusia Counties, the East Central Regional Rail-Trail (ECRRT), was approved for acquisition in September by the Governor and Cabinet.

“This acquisition marks an important milestone in the establishment of the Florida greenways and trails system,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Once developed, this trail will serve as a critical connection within the developing trails network in East Central Florida.”

Purchased with Florida Forever money allocated to DEP’s Office of Greenways & Trails, the property is strategically located on the northeast side of one of the most heavily populated and highly visited regions of Florida, the Orlando metro area. The approximately 51-mile trail purchase from the Florida East Coast Railway L.L.C. is the longest of its kind for the state of Florida, exceeding the 46-mile Palatka to Lake Butler Rail-Trail acquired by DEP’s Office of Greenways & Trails in 2001.

Long time supporter of the project, Brevard County Commissioner Truman Scarborough, Jr. said, “This trail will help connect key visitor destinations like the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Kennedy Space Center to the rapidly growing Central Florida trails network, making it a critically important project for the region and the State.”

For trail users interested in conservation land destinations, the ECRRT corridor lies within close proximity to the Merritt National Wildlife Refuge in Brevard County, Gemini Springs Park in Volusia County, Chain of Lakes Park in Brevard County, Lake Monroe Conservation Area in Volusia County and Florida Forever project lands for Indian River Lagoon Blueway in Brevard County, Wekiva-Ocala Greenway and the Volusia Conservation Corridor. In addition, the corridor provides a foundation for connecting three of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations, the greater Orlando area, the Kennedy Space Center and Daytona’s beaches. Ultimately, the ECRRT will connect two major long-distance trail initiatives, the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway along the Atlantic Coast and the planned 480-mile Central Florida Loop.

“This is a great day for recreation in the Central Florida Region. We are grateful for the State's long term interest and support for this rail trail project and thrilled to know that it will be placed in the public trust,” said Patricia Northey, Volusia County Council member who was instrumental in the project’s development.

Both Brevard and Volusia Counties will be the long term managers of the property and will fund future development of the project. Future improvements include paving and establishing trailheads and waysides, and proposed trail uses include cycling, hiking, running, skating, equestrian and wildlife viewing.

Florida is home to more than 4,000 miles of trails throughout the state. DEP’s Office of Greenways & Trails manages eight state trails, in addition to the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. The Greenway is Florida’s longest green corridor stretching 110 miles from the St. Johns River near Palatka to the Gulf of Mexico near Inglis. Of the eight state trails, six are rail-trails, which are railroad corridors converted to recreational trails for hiking, biking, skating and equestrian activities. Through Florida Forever, the state’s premier land acquisition program, $4.5 million is allocated annually to purchase and preserve land for Florida’s greenways and trails.

The 10-year, $3 billion Florida Forever program established by the Florida Legislature in 1999 conserves environmentally sensitive land, restores waterways and preserves important cultural and historical resources. With more than two million acres of land conserved through Florida Forever and its predecessor, Preservation 2000, the state is increasing public access to recreation lands, connecting communities with green space and expanding natural corridors to safeguard wildlife.

For more information on Florida’s greenways and trails, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt.