By Ned Baier, AICP

President FGTF

Winter Garden-

The FGTF Board, Honorary Board, and invited guests met October 3 & 4 at the Winter Garden City Hall for a two-day Board meeting, a Central Florida showcase with community presentations from Central Florida leaders, and reception.  We had 100%  Board attendance, and many Honorary Board members participated. Thank you to our volunteers! ! The evening reception was sponsored by Haskell represented by Ivan Robles, Sydney Smith and Van Christiansen. Dewberry and Friends of Lake Apopka sponsored the morning breakfast.

Day One included a statewide teams call of more than 30-persons learning about the FDOT Greenways & Trails Economic Analysis. The  FDOT-funded study has been led by FGTF Vice President Kim DeLaney, PHD & Director of Strategic Development and Policy at the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and Tara McCue, Executive Director of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.  The FGTF has had a great deal of interest in this research effort. Kim led the item included a detailed presentation and the methodology that was used for the study and findings   Luis Nieves-Ruiz  was in attendance.  We were all impressed by the thinking that went into developing the methodology, especially since this involved a lot of assumptions.  FGTF Board members felt that assumptions were somewhat conservative, likely underestimating the benefits being reported.

Central Florida Trails Showcase

 At FGTF’s last meeting in Central Florida, we heard from representatives from Orange County, Lake County and Bike/Walk Central Florida about trail-related developments.  This time, representatives were invited from Seminole County, Lake County and the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Rick Durr reviewed the evolution of Seminole County’s trail program, much of which took advantage of abandoned freight rail lines.  In 2000 they had 10 paved miles of trail; currently they have 51 paved miles and 140 total miles.  Usage numbers continue to increase.  Plans were updated in 2022.  Emphasis is being put on connectivity to trail networks in neighboring jurisdictions – Orange, Lake and Volusia Counties.  Mr. Durr explained that most of the county’s paved trails were done with local funding provided by the Infrastructure Sales Tax.  This is an additional 1-cent sales tax approved by Seminole County residents in 2014 for a several types of capital uses, including trails.  He reported the tax expires this year, but the Board of County Commissioners approved adding a renewal proposal on the November ballot.  If approved by voters, this will continue for another 10-year period.

Tim Baylie, Parks and Recreation Director with Volusia County  and FGTF Board member made the presentation on the Volusia County trail program.  He reported that Volusia County has used both state (SUN Trail) and local funds for their trails program.  He reviewed each trail project and its status.  Volusia County has emphasized trail amenities such as wayfinding which are so important to trail users.  Mr. Baylie reported that two-thirds of the land in Volusia County is in public ownership.  This provides plenty of opportunities for building trails.  Allowing public access to conservation easements and the restriction that SUN Trail funding can only be used for paved trails are among topics of interest for the County.  Mr. Baylie showed a video of a recent test involving a new type of material that could possibility serve as a substitute for traditional paving with asphalt.

Will Hawthorne from the Central Florida Expressway Authority gave a presentation on exciting plans for the new Lake-Orange Expressway (SR516), an innovative project connecting US27 and SR429.  This will include a large wildlife crossing under US27 (coordinated with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation), a connection to the Lake County trail network and a section of the roadway will include a pilot test of an in-pavement charging system for electric vehicles while the vehicles are moving.  This last feature generated a lot of discussion.  Will explained CFX is working closely with the National Science Foundation, Utah State University and Aspire Technologies.  He explained this will be the most sustainable roadway CFX has ever built.   

The Board spent much of Day 2 planning the next big event- the Florida Greenways & Trails, 2025 Summit scheduled for February 5 & 6 in Venice, FL.

We hope to attract upwards of 200-persons. Registration and Program information will be available on the FGTF website by November 1.