Legacy Trail (Sarasota to Venice Rail-Trail):
Florida
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Description:
From Sarasota County Government web site:



On March 28, 2008 Sarasota County opened the largest public recreation project ever constructed in the area, The Legacy Trail. Totaling more than 12 miles in length the trail runs from just south of the City of Sarasota to Venice following the former CSX railroad corridor.

Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County Public Works and the Friends of the Legacy Trail hosted an all-day celebration with entertainment, nature and kayak tours, actor portrayals of historic Sarasota figures.

The Legacy Trail hosts 15 areas to stop, rest, learn about its history or just enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the trail. The rest stops include 7 trailheads which offer access points with free parking. The trailheads are located at Potter Park in Sarasota, Bay Street Park and Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, Laurel Park in Laurel, Nokomis Park in Nokomis, Patriots Park and the historic Venice Train Depot in Venice. In addition to the trailheads, users will find eight rest station areas that offer restroom faculties and places to sit and relax.

Purchased through a partnership between Sarasota County and the Trust for Public Land in December 2004 for $11.75 million, The Legacy Trail is the backbone of network of trails planned in Sarasota County. The Legacy Trail is open from dawn to dusk with the rules for using the trail posted at various locations as well as at each trailhead entrance point.

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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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Legacy Trail
By Lambros Kathleen on April 29, 2010
Love this trail. It will be really great when both trestles are complete. Plenty of wildlife and scenery, with very few traffic crossings. It connects to the Venetian Waterway for even more riding fun! Very little shade in mid-day sun. Bring plenty of water. Happy riding!
Legacy trail
By cboggs2 on February 05, 2010
I have taken this trail mostly from the north end near the Sarasota Westfield mall to park and bike-ride the trail. I like the ride for all the wild life that I have been seeing going near the State park on the trail such as lots of birds/ turtles/ snakes/ rabbits/ raccoons/ even a cougar cat! Plenty of resting area with sitting benches some with shade. If you take the trail all the way to train depot and still not able to finish the ride back to mall, the bus service is great! only .75 to ride and they are avail about every 30 min. They all have a bike rack to hold only 2 bikes at a time. I have seen lots of people on this trail and it's been very clean and some folks still carry glass bottles, which I have run over broken glass. Take plenty of fluids with you.
Happy trails to you!
Trestles
By MJRouvet on October 25, 2009
The trestles over the Bays, Roberts and Dona, are in the process of being rebuilt and are expected to be completed by July of 2010. The trestle over Roberts Bay is expected to be completed by January 2010. We are all looking forward to the opening of the trestles as we have many cyclists in our area.
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