Welcome to The Legacy Trail i
of Sarasota County, Florida ..
It's Open !
New Dona Bay Bridge Completes
Legacy Trail Connection
Top photo: A family makes their way across the new Dona Bay Bridge. Lower photo: Trail riders pull over into the the observation area of the new bridge and watch as a boater heads after a day on the water.
The new pedestrian bridges over Roberts and Dona Bays complete the 10.6 mile Legacy Trail as a continuous path from Palmer Ranch in southern Sarasota to the historic Venice Train Depot and the connection there to the nearly 10 additional miles of the Venetian Waterway Park Trails.
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Overpass Underway!
Top picture: The Legacy Trail Pedestrian Overpass design will be based on this "Option 2" rendering and embrace the City of Venice Northern Italian architectural theme. Lower picture: Looking south from above the Bird Bay neighborhood at the overpass site. Grachic Courtesy of the City of Venice.
If you are a Friend of The Legacy Trail or just enjoy using it, you already know the good news. The new bridges replacing the trestles across Dona & Roberts Bays are complete, connecting the 10.6 mile trail from Venice to Palmer Ranch in south Sarasota.
There is even more good news. The Legacy Trail will have a pedestrian overpass built crossing over the six lanes of US 41 By-Pass near Bird Bay Drive in Venice. And we don't have to wait until 2015. This project was a "Ready to Go" project making it possible for stimulus money to be allocated to it and the design work has begun.
Here is what we know about The Legacy Trail Pedestrian crossing: This design/build project has a "notice to proceed" in late July 2010 with just over a year scheduled for the work. While the timeline for the work could be extended in the event of a major weather event, completion is expected in late summer 2011. The bridge design will incorporate Venice's Northern Italian architectural theme and include two towers and decorative rails and beams. It will be 17.5 feet above US 41 with a width of 12 feet. The length is not yet determined. The crossing will be on the same alignment as The Legacy Trail with sidewalk access on the east side.
SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY
Trail traffic will be maintained through the construction zone but could include the use of detours as the need arises. Conditions in the project area are subject to change on a daily basis. It is important to stay alert, read the signs and obey the directions of any "flagmen" as you travel through the area. There will be night time lane closures on US 41 while the beams for the overpass are put in place.
The Friends of The Legacy Trail are grateful that this project has been selected and moved forward rapidly. We have seen people, even families, attempt to cross the six busy lanes of US 41 without going down to the crosswalk at Bird Bay Drive. We have about a year to wait, so please don't take chances, use the crosswalk.
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FLT Membership Just
Became More Valuable !
The Friends of The Legacy Trail are pleased to announce the debut of Business Partner Discounts for our members. FLT volunteers have been working with area merchants, restaurants and service providers to make your membership card more valuable. FLT's Business Partners welcome trail enthusiasts with the offer of a discount upon the presentation of your FLT membership card.
Discounts vary from merchant to merchant, so be sure to check our website frequently to see the latest deals and our newest Partners. Your next evening out could easily offset the cost of your annual membership ($10.00 - Single & $15.00 - Family), all while you are helping with FLT's mission of support, enhancement and promotion of the The Legacy Trail !
Join us at our monthly meeting (see below) or visit the FLT tent out along the trail or at a local park event to sign up and get your card. You can also download and complete a membership application and mail the form along with a self addressed, stamped envelope and receive your membership card by return mail.
Become an FLT Business Partner
Click here to email us for information on becoming an FLT Business Partner. Please include your name, contact information and business location and an FLT volunteer will contact you.
The Friends of The Legacy Trail is an all volunteer chapter of the Friends of Sarasota County Parks, a not for profit organization supporting Sarasota County Parks.
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FLT meets the first Tuesday of each month at Oscar Scherer State Park 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229 - 941-483-5956, in the Nature Center. The Park admission fee is waived for meeting attendees.
More Info
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Remaining Trail Rest Stations
Soon To Get Roofs
Sarasota County has received a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to complete the 13 trail-side stop stations along The Legacy Trail. Roof structures for two of the sites were installed during initial phase of trail construction, funded through the generosity of donors, but funds were not available to roof the remaining locations.
The 60 day project to construct the eleven additional roofs as well as the addition of a second bench to all thirteen locations has been re-bid and the contract award is expected in mid September with construction to begin shortly there after.
