Office of Greenways & Trails Providing Statewide Leadership and Coordination October 21, 2016

Overview What is the Office of Greenways and Trails? How do we provide statewide leadership and coordination?

Office of Greenways and Trails The Office of Greenways and Trails within the Division of Recreation and Parks provides statewide leadership and coordination to establish, expand and promote the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS) pursuant to the Florida Greenways and Trails Act (Ch. 260, F.S.).

OGT is the leading statewide trail planning entity What is OGT? OGT is the leading statewide trail planning entity Implement the Florida Greenways and Trails System Identify, evaluate, prioritize and coordinate development of trail corridors Provide Community Assistance Project support, and greenways and trails master planning Represent trails on various Boards, Committees and Councils Florida Greenways and Trails Council, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, ETC. Administer Florida Greenways and Trails programs (Acquisition and Designation)

Why Greenways and Trails? Health Tourism Economy Quality of Life Conservation Transportation Recreation

The Plan This is the first update to the FGTS Plan since Connecting Florida’s Communities laid the groundwork in 1998 to implement the many greenways and trails programs and projects that exist today.

2. Direct resources and programs to establish and connect the FGTS. FGTS Plan FGTS GOALS 1. Identify and prioritize trails and greenways to facilitate completion of the FGTS. 2. Direct resources and programs to establish and connect the FGTS. 3. Promote and communicate information about greenways and trails to advance the FGTS. 4. Link complementary programs and planning efforts to effectively coordinate the FGTS.

Goal 1: Identify and Prioritize Level 3 - The Gaps: Priority Trail Gaps and Ecological Greenway Strategic Protection Areas Highest Needs Level 2 - The Priorities: Priority Trails and Ecological Greenway Critical Linkages Focused System Level 1 - The Vision: Land and Paddling Trails, and the Ecological Greenway Opportunities Complete System

Level 1: Creating the Vision The Opportunity Maps represent corridors of “existing, planned and conceptual non-motorized trails that form a land based trail network of state and regional importance.” Map updated every 3 years Last updated in December 2015

Opportunity Corridors Consistent with bicycle and pedestrian, and greenways and trails master plans. Supports non-motorized trail uses, regardless of surface type or trail use.

Statewide Opportunity System OGT worked with planning partners and trail users to document existing, planned and conceptual land and paddling trails.

Level 2: Focus the System The opportunity corridors are used as the basis of the Priority Trails Map. The Priority Map helps us decide where to focus resources. Priority Trails Map Opportunity System Maps

Priority Trails Indicators Support and further national, state or regional trail projects, plans and initiatives that encompass multiple counties. Include existing and planned long-distance trails and trail loops that serve as destinations to support nature-based tourism and economic development. Include the State Trails, the Cross Florida Greenway and other major connecting trails of greatest length (five miles or longer). Connect major population centers to provide access to the FGTS by the greatest number of Floridians. Build on past and programmed state and federal investment in trails, particularly when matched by funding from local and private sources. Coincide with transportation, utility and canal corridors that facilitate major connections. Coincide with the Florida Ecological Greenways Network. Connect natural, recreational, cultural and historical sites that provide a range of experiences. Provide a safe, accessible and high quality experience for users.

Priority Trails Network

Level 3: Gap Maps 2012

2. Direct resources and programs to establish and connect the FGTS. FGTS Plan FGTS GOALS 1. Identify and prioritize trails and greenways to facilitate completion of the FGTS. 2. Direct resources and programs to establish and connect the FGTS. 3. Promote and communicate information about greenways and trails to advance the FGTS. 4. Link complementary programs and planning efforts to effectively coordinate the FGTS.

Goal 2: Direct Resources FEDERAL Transportation Alternatives STATE Specific Appropriations DEVELOPMENT OTHER Local Government Private ACQUISITION STATE Florida Forever, Greenways &Trails Acq

Funding Resources Federal Highway Administration Transportation Alternative Recreational Trail Program Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program Land and Water Conservation Florida Forever Florida Communities Trust – 21% Greenways and Trails Acquisition – 1.5% Shared Use Non-motorized Trail (SUNTrail) Program

Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail (SUNTrail)

Coast to Coast Connector

Coast to Coast Gap Analysis

East Coast Greenway in Southeast Florida Capital City to Sea Trails St. Johns River to Sea Loop Heart of Florida Loop Tallahassee-Nature Coast-Peace River Greenway Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail Southwest Coastal Regional Trail SUNTrail Eligible FGTS Priority Network

2. Direct resources and programs to establish and connect the FGTS. FGTS Plan FGTS GOALS 1. Identify and prioritize trails and greenways to facilitate completion of the FGTS. 2. Direct resources and programs to establish and connect the FGTS. 3. Promote and communicate information about greenways and trails to advance the FGTS. 4. Link complementary programs and planning efforts to effectively coordinate the FGTS.

Celebrate accomplishments through Collaborative resolutions Major project media Information sharing Ribbon Cuttings

Promote and Communicate

2. Direct resources and programs to establish and connect the FGTS. FGTS Plan FGTS GOALS 1. Identify and prioritize trails and greenways to facilitate completion of the FGTS. 2. Direct resources and programs to establish and connect the FGTS. 3. Promote and communicate information about greenways and trails to advance the FGTS. 4. Link complementary programs and planning efforts to effectively coordinate the FGTS.

Statewide Plan Alignment The FGTS plan complements other statewide planning efforts and programs Recreation Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Health State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Economy Florida 5 Year Strategic Plan Transportation Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) 2060 Conservation Cooperative Conservation Blueprint & Wildlife Action Plan Tourism Destination Marketing Plan Plan Alignment

Other Partners Plan Alignment Working with strategic partners to accomplish a statewide system of greenways and trails Rails to Trails Conservancy, Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation Private County and Municipal Governments Planning Councils, Water Management Districts, Metropolitan Planning Organizations Regional Governments Plan Alignment  

Organize What does your coalition look like? (These are just some of the public entities)

Questions? www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.com