The Legacy Trail’s North Port Connector – officially opened to the public on September 9 – completed 851 days ahead of schedule! The North Port Connector – about 3 ½ miles of paved trail – gives Sarasota County a 30-mile connection between its two largest municipalities. Now cyclists can enjoy a lengthier ride.
The new North Port Connector has three routes.
The connector’s entrance is at the Calera Street Station. On this trail, you can meander along a tree-lined paved trail north toward Interstate 75 and take the Forbes Trail into Deer Prairie Creek Preserve (approximately 5.5 miles).
The South Powerline Trail is a hardpacked trail that travels along the Carlton Reserve, cuts through the Reserve, and connects with the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park via a bridge that spans the creek.
The third is the Alphabet Trail, a natural surface trail that connects the northern and southern entrances of Deer Prairie Creek Preserve.
What is the Legacy Trail
The Legacy Trail is a multi-modal recreational trail that connects the cities of Venice and Sarasota, using the former Seaboard Air railroad line right of way.
The original Legacy Trail, which opened in 2008, connected the train depot to the Culverhouse Nature Park in Palmer Ranch.
In 2018, Sarasota County voters approved acquiring the Legacy Trail Extension railroad corridor to build a safe trail for walking, running, and cycling.
In March 2022, Sarasota County marked the completion of the connection between the Venice Train Depot and Payne Park in Sarasota in early March.
In mid-July 2022, the Pompano Trailhead in Sarasota opened with 12 pickleball courts and space for food trucks.
What’s Next?
The possibility of connecting south to Englewood and offering another option of connection to the Gulf Coast Trail to create and link 336 miles of pathways along the west coast of Florida.
Resource: Sarasota County Government, an article by Earle Kimel, and photos by Mike Lane, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY NETWORK
MAP OF LEGACY TRAIL
North Port to Venice to Sarasota
