We’re Buzzing about Orange County’s Latest Moves in Trails

Orange County is making headway in trails and connectivity.  Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Commissioners Victoria Siplin and Bryan Nelson and Orange County parks and recreation staff and volunteers were some of the many trails supporters on hand to witness recent progress on the Pine Hills Trail and Shingle Creek Trail.  On October 18, the County celebrated the ribbon cutting of the first section of the Pine Hills Trail at Barnett Park.

For an encore, the county broke ground on the first phase of its section of the Shingle Creek Regional Trail on January 24.  The Shingle Creek Trail will have a 12.1 mile portion in Orange County.

Mayor Teresa Jacobs, District 6 Commissioner Victoria P. Siplin and District 2 Commissioner Bryan Nelson joined Orange County Parks and Recreation to host the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Pine Hills Trail – Phase one on Oct. 18 at Barnett Park.  The first phase of the Pine Hills Trail runs from Silver Star Road south to Alhambra Drive with a spur that connects the trail into Barnett Park.

The trail will be about eight miles in length and will consist of a 10-foot to 12-foot wide asphalt trail, with one-foot wide concrete ribbon curb on either side. The second phase will span from Silver Star Road to Clarcona-Ocoee Road and the third phase from Clarcona-Ocoee Road north to the Seminole-Wekiva Trail.

“In time, this trail will connect to the Shingle Creek Trail and cover a critical gap in Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Trail, a 250-mile trail across the state, linking communities from the Gulf Coast to the east coast, “ said Mayor Jacobs. “By investing in our Parks infrastructure, we are not only investing in eco-tourism – an industry that has grown significantly – but also creating trails like this one that celebrate each unique community it passes through in Orange County.”

Orange County Commissioner Victoria Siplin, Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Suedmeyer, other county staff, volunteers and trail supporters broke ground on the first Orange County phase of the Shingle Creek Regional Trail on January 24.  The trail’s construction is a perfect example of collaborative efforts by cities, counties and the State of Florida to benefit present and future generations.

When fully constructed the Shingle Creek Regional Trail will become part of an extensive trail network that extends 32-miles from Kissimmee to Wekiwa Springs State Park and from Orlando to Mascotte. In its entirety, it will serve as a key north-south connector in a larger regional trails network that includes the West Orange Trail, South Lake Trail, Cross Seminole Trail, and Seminole Wekiva Trail.

“This is an exciting time as our trail system continues to grow,” said Matt Suedmeyer.  “Mayor Jacobs and the county commissioners continue to make trails a priority.”

Completing the Shingle Creek Trail will significantly increase outdoor opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians in urban central Florida.

For a more in depth look at Orange County’s plans for trails, Click here