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MONROE COUNTY- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT),
Monroe County and the city of Marathon are partnering in the continued
development of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) by constructing
additional sections of trail, retrofitting the historic Flagler railroad bridges
for trail use, installation of improved safety features and beautification
projects.
The FKOHT is a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian facility currently under
design and construction by OGT. When completed, the trail will provide a scenic
corridor extending from Key Largo to Key West that will serve not only as a
highway, but as a recreational greenway for hiking, running, bicycling, in-line
skating, sightseeing, fishing and kayaking.
“The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail attracted more than one million
visitors this past year, which was a record, even though the trail is still in
the development phase,” said Jena Brooks, Director of DEP’s Office of Greenways
& Trails. “Many projects are underway that promise to bring valuable tourism
dollars to the local economy in the coming year. We are grateful for the support
of our state and local partners in making this possible.”
Improvements to the FKOHT in Marathon are scheduled to begin in fall of 2009
and should take three to six months to complete. Projects will include
resurfacing, widening and completing safety markings on the existing trail as
needed. The trail will also be reconnected near Switlik Elementary School. In
addition, trail safety measures such as crosswalks, ADA improvements on side
streets, signage and traffic control devices are all scheduled for installation
on the DOT-owned property along US HWY 1.
OGT is also supporting a plan created by the city of Marathon’s
Beautification Committee and funded through federal stimulus dollars to provide
a number of new benches, trash cans and bike racks, as well as fresh landscaping
along the FKOHT next to the Marathon Airport.
“DEP’s significant contribution to the landscaping effort in front of
Marathon Airport will have a major impact on the beautification of our city,”
said Peter Chapman, Chairman of the Marathon Beautification Advisory Board. “Our
citizens, our businesses and our visitors will benefit from this gift for years
to come.”
Outside the city of Marathon, many other trail development projects are in
the works.
• In the Upper Keys, 14 fishing platforms are scheduled to be added
to the sides of the Channel Two Historic Bridge. Targeted for completion in
spring 2010, the platforms will improve access for recreational fishing and
provide safe passage for trail users.
• At the Key Largo Trailhead, a new public
use facility in the planning will include an interpretive center, offices,
restrooms, a crocodile viewing area for the National Crocodile Wildlife Refuge
and other trail user amenities.
• Other projects include retrofitting a number
of the Middle Keys historic bridges for trail use and paving a new section of
the trail between Ramrod Key and Big Pine Key.
Florida has been named by American Trails as “Best Trails State in America,”
recognizing DEP’s Office of Greenways & Trails for its vision and leadership,
which includes community assistance, land acquisition, public outreach and the
management of eight state trails and the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida
Greenway. The Greenway is Florida’s longest green corridor stretching 110 miles
from the St. Johns River near Palatka to the Gulf of Mexico near Inglis. Of the
eight state trails, six are rail-trails, which are railroad corridors converted
to recreational trails for hiking, biking, skating, equestrian activities and
alternative transportation. Through Florida Forever, the state’s premier land
acquisition program, $4.5 million is allocated annually to purchase and preserve
land for Florida’s greenways and trails.
For more information about Florida’s trails, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/.
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