Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail
Discovering the long and winding asphalt track
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006  |
 |
![[Image]](/content_images/022206_discovering_pinellas-01-a.jpg) |
|
| Photo by TOM MICHALSKI |
| A cyclist enjoys an afternoon ride along the Pinellas Trail. |
|
![[Image]](/content_images/022206_discovering_pinellas-01-b.jpg) |
|
| Photo by ANNE ANDERSON |
| An aluminum sculpture in Clearwater by Florida artist Mark Fuller is one of nine along the Pinellas Trail that recalls the trail’s railroad roots and tells riders what town they are in. |
|
The Pinellas Trail is one of the most popular and successful projects ever launched.
Officially known as the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, the 35-mile paved path has not only become a favorite of cyclists, but of skaters, runners and walkers as well.
Like a great serpent, it snakes its way through Pinellas County while sprouting spurs that together eventually will become 100 miles or more long.
“The idea for a trail came in 1983 when a man whose son was killed in an accident wanted to create a safe place for bicyclists,” said Jerry Cumings, supervisor of the Pinellas Trail and the Friendship Trail Bridge.
A former cyclist who averaged 50 miles a day until an auto accident forced him to quit, Cumings managed Ft. DeSoto’s campgrounds before taking over the trail.
The route became reality when the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Bicycle Advisory Committee joined the Pedestrian Safety Committee. They eyed 47 miles of abandoned CSX railroad tracks as a resolution to safety issues.
With rail service along the eastern seaboard diminished due to airlines and high speed interstates, the unused railbed was perfect for a 15-foot-wide asphalt trail striped to separate the bike and skate lane from walkers and runners.
“The tracks actually were purchased for a future high speed rail system,” Cumings said.
Pinellas County made a deal with the Florida Department of Transportation. The county could have the railroad property in exchange for building the 118th Avenue overpass off Interstate 275.
“As a kid I’d walk those tracks to school or to see friends,” Cumings, who grew up in Seminole, said.
The county worked with the Rails to Trails Conservancy, an organization that is creating a nationwide network of trails from abandoned rail lines.
The conservancy is responsible for fabricating 13,150 miles of “Rail Trails” that are used annually by 100,000 million people.
Cumings took over the county trail when it was only 5 miles long.
“Many use it to commute to work,” Cumings said. “Most bikes today are equipped with baskets to carry items from shopping trips.”
The trail also has sprouted commercial enterprises such as cycle and sporting shops and restaurants.
One convenience shop, the Seven Days Food Store on Walsingham Road in Largo, actually installed a rear door for the convenience of trail users.
In some towns, like Dunedin and Tarpon Springs, the trail is directly responsible for the redevelopment of shopping districts.
“There used to be a 50 percent vacancy rate and now there’s a waiting list of people who want to open businesses,” Cumings said.
Bicycling, walking and running have become very popular in these health conscious times. High fuel costs have caused more people to ride bicycles.
One can find rest areas, water fountains, bridges that span busy highways and water and sculptures along the trail.
Crime and accidents are not much of an issue.
“We have 11 full-time park rangers patrolling the trail in addition to volunteers,” Cumings said. “We do urge people to wear helmets, drink fluids, use sunscreen and to be alert at all times.”
|
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
