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Agenda

• Introductions

• History of the Loop and connecting trails

• Highlight Completed Segments

• Upcoming Dates & How to get involved

• Q&A, Website and Map tour

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2 minute intros

• Your interest in the trail (Cycling, Walking, Supporting)

• What you know about Florida’s paved trails

• Interest in cycling or trail advocacy

• What you hope to learn today

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https://floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/

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Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Program

Florida Department of Transportation

• Created under 339.81, Florida Statute

• To develop a statewide system of paved non-motorized trails for bicyclists and pedestrians (SUN Trail Network) as a component of the Florida Greenways & Trails System

• $25 million annually funded from the redistribution of new vehicle tag revenues

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People are more likely to shift from driving to bicycling if they feel safer and more comfortable in their environment.

Commuting Trends in Florida, Florida Department of Transportation (2016)

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FDOT SUNTrail Network

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First Designated Top-Priority SUNTrailThe Coast to Coast Trail

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Second Designated Top-Priority SUNTrailThe St Johns River to Sea Loop

About the River2Sea Loop260-mile multi-use Trail

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• Decade-long Dream

• In 2016 Florida Greenways & Trails Council selected the Loop as one of two Top-Priority Trails for state SUNTrail Funding

• 5 Counties• Brevard• Volusia • Putnam• St Johns• Flagler

• Connecting• Titusville• DeBary• Palatka• St Augustine• Titusville

St Johns River-to-Sea Loop

Florida

“The Vision”

Q: How Did the Loop Happen??

• A: Vision, Commitment and Perseverance

• Many dedicated people for decades• Pat Northey

• Tim Baylie

• Herb Hiller

• Many others

• 2016 Competitive Selection Process championed by heroes Tim & Pat

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The promise of the Loop

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• Multiuse

• Recreation

• Equitable Transportation

• Commuting

• Tourism (Best Kind –slow, high-spend, environmentally-friendly)

• Wellness/fitness/health

• Community Building

• Safety

• A Trail for everyone• Bikers • Hikers/Walkers• Runners• Strollers• Wheelchairs & Mobility Devices

Vision: Statewide Network

Loop Connections• Coast to Coast Trail to St

Petersburg

• Heart of Florida to Inverness and Dunellon via Withlacochee

• Palatka-Lake Butler Trail

• East Coast GreenwayMaine to Key West

• Adventure Cycling Southern Tier to San Diego

• US Bike Routes 1 and 90

The Loop is a blessing to West Volusia

Florida’s Trail Hub

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“A trail is as good as the things it connects”

The Loop Today

Longest completed sectionOver 42 miles

NOT IN 5-YEAR PLAN

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The Loop Today

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• FDOT committed SUNTrail Funds• $25M Total Per Year

• $8.3M Coast to Coast

• $8.3M River to Sea Loop

• $8.3M Other SUN Trails

• Funding for pavement only

• Not for • Amenities

• Signs and Wayfinding

• Trailheads

• Water

• Restrooms

• Maintenance

• Promotion

• More is needed to Fulfill the Promise of the Loop

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Why Trails Matter

• Environmental Sustainability

• Equitable, Active Mobility

• Low-impact, high-value Tourism

• Economic Development

• Health, Wellness, Fitness, Life Quality

• Community Building

• Community Safety

Trails have no downside

• Trails promote health, fitness, overall wellbeing, and quality of life

• People will exercise if it’s enjoyable, available and safe

• Cycling, walking and jogging have been proven to mitigate and prevent

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Heart problems

• Parkinsons, Autism ….

• Effects of Aging

• Mental problems

Why Trails MatterHealth

Places for People –Trails Connect Parks, Communities, People

• In West Volusia an easy trail ride connects • 1 (soon 2) State Park (Blue Spring, soon DeLeon Springs)

• 4 County Parks – all on water – spring, lake or river

• Several Community Parks (Thornby has accessible playground)

Why Trails MatterCommunity Building

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• $25M is not a big investment

• Average cost per $1M per mile

• The Dutch invest .1% of GDP on cycling infrastructure

• Gain over 5% health benefits & other measurable benefits –

50 times their investment

• .1% of Florida’s GDP~ $1B

• If we invested like the Dutch we would have >$1B –40 TIMES SUNTrail funding

Investment in Cycling Infrastructure

Questions?

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Explore our Website https://www.River2SeaLoop.org

Like us on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/SJR2C

Emailmaggie@River2SeaLoop.ORG

COMING SOON

• Stay Tuned for our next workshops

• “Gearing up for the Spring Ride” 2/12 Enterprise Museum

• “Independent Cycle Touring in Europe” REI Winter Park

• Don’t forget

• Spring Ride 3/1/20

• River to Sea Loop Summit Titusville 3/19-3/20