Sarasota County has several miles of beautiful trails where you may go hiking, horseback riding, biking, or rollerblading. The trails offer an outdoor experience for all tourists and locals, ranging from leisurely strolling to rigorous trekking and workouts, and allow access to an unlimited number of natural spots and wild places right in your backyard.
The Legacy Trail – Location
The Historic Venice Train Depot, a beautiful sunset orange edifice that blends in perfectly with the beachy Florida color palette, marks the start of the Legacy Trail.
The Mediterranean Revival-style building, which dates to 1927 and is next to a palm-tree-dotted waterway, was initially believed to be the nicest station on the road.
Inside houses exhibitions on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, on which the rail trail was planned, are open year-round on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus used the rails, and close to the depot is a bronze sculpture of circus star Gunther Gebel-Williams, proclaimed as “The Greatest Wild Trainer of All Time.”
Legacy Trail – Route
The bike trail begins at the Venice Train Station and runs north; it is well-maintained and entirely straight. The trail runs through Oscar Scherer State Park at about a third of the way and has recently been extended to Sarasota. The trail is primarily tree-lined, giving wonderfully shaded stretches, wind shelter, and a generally calm, rural vibe.
Water views are provided by causeways that span small bays. The Legacy Trail has evolved into one of Florida’s more enjoyable bicycling rides, thanks to installing two-path bridges over significant roadways (at Highway 41 and Laurel Road).
The Legacy Trail – Benefits
- Its current association with the Venetian Waterway Park Trail provides over 30 miles of continuous non-motorized, paved, multi-use trail.
- The route is extended to the heart of Sarasota’s downtown. Approximately two-thirds of the town’s people and employees would be within two miles of the trail.
- Supports the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, which creates safe and convenient routes for students to run or bike to high school and encourages regular physical exercise. Within one linear mile of the trail, there are 27 schools and 45 schools within two linear miles.
- It provides a beautiful and safe environment for people of all ages to exercise, skate, cycle, experience local nature viewing opportunities, commute to work, or run errands.
- For residents, employees, and visitors, it provides an alternative transit link between neighborhoods and amenities unique to the county’s north, middle, and south parts.
- Reduces traffic congestion and improves air quality by converting an abandoned, overgrown rail corridor into a heavily used leisure and commuting walkway. Around 225,000 people per year use the current Legacy Trail.
- Provides new options to connect existing neighborhood trails and various on-road bike lanes, such as the Circus Trail to Benderson Park, the Longboat Key Trail to Anna Maria Island, the North Port Extension to the Legacy Trail, and Manasota Key to Englewood.
- Encourages local economic activities. Numerous studies have found multi-use trails to boost local economic activity, stimulate business, increase nearby property values, and promote healthy lives for people of all ages.
- Improves the municipality’s/county’s image as a community that cares about its citizens and is environmentally conscious.
- Educates the public about history through education stations, monuments, and other means.
- Re-landscaping and pollution remediation improve the property.
The extension of Legacy Trail to Sarasota has appreciated the town’s value and its properties. The easy to commute trail has provided a better life for all residents.
Jennette Properties would love to find a property for you with access to the Leacy Trail. Call today! 941-953-6000.
Image source: friendsofthelegacytrail.org
