24/10/2024
🎉Congratulations to Sanford! And applause to all those involved in making this happen for our community.
📣The City of Sanford is officially a TRAIL TOWN! The City of Sanford received its Trail Town Designation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's offices of Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation.
🤝Who Worked on the Trail Town Designation?
Representatives from partnering agencies and businesses formed the "Trail Town Cuties Committee". Committee members include:
• Robert Beall, Operations Manager, City of Sanford, FL Government of Sanford Parks & Recreation
• Pamela Lynch, Economic Development Project Manager and CRA Director, City of Sanford
• Karen Aplin, Tourism Director, Seminole County Do Orlando North
• Kayla Mitchell, Director of Operations, Bike/Walk Central Florida
• Brenda Urias, Owner, Bicikleta Bike Shop
• Daniel Lewis, The Law Office of Daniel R. Lewis; President, Sanford Main Street
• Dan Ping, Executive Director, Sanford Main Street
➡️What Is a Trail Town?
The Trail Town Program recognizes communities that embrace and support trail systems, particularly those connected to larger, regional trail networks. The trails in a Trail Town must be close to central business districts, providing access to restaurants, bike shops, events, and other amenities. The designation positions the town as a key destination for trail users, attracting tourism, boosting economic growth, and building community. There are currently 20 designated Trail Towns in Florida.
➡️Why Is Sanford a Trail Town?
The Sanford RiverWalk trail connects walkers, joggers, and cyclists to Downtown Sanford businesses, Seminole County's Cross Seminole Trail, the regional St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, and the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail. Sanford offers trail users amenities like wayfinding signage, parking, restrooms, water fountains, pavilions, bike racks, and a welcome center. The Sanford Police Department and Sanford Fire Department are trained in trail emergencies to ensure the safety of all users.
With the Trail Town designation, Sanford will receive signage and recognition from the Office of Greenways and Trails and Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing corporation. Additionally, in Historic Downtown Sanford, visitors can obtain stamps for Trail Town passport books and find trail-friendly businesses with Trail Town logo window displays.
The City of Sanford and Seminole County continue to cooperate in implementing the County's Trails Master Plan, with plans to connect the Sanford RiverWalk to additional trail networks around the County.
City of Sanford, FL Government Seminole County Parks, Trails and Recreation Play Orlando North Florida Freewheelers Seminole Cyclists SORBA Orlando