BLACKWATER HERITAGE STATE TRAIL By Vernon Compton November 13, 2015 Emerald Coast Transportation Symposium

PROJECT LOCATION The Blackwater Heritage State Trail is located in the City of Milton, the county seat of Santa Rosa County. The existing 8.1 mile multiple use, linear trail is the westernmost rail-trail in the state of Florida. Nearby public lands include the Bagdad Mill Site Park, Naval Air Station-Whiting Field, the Blackwater River Water Management Area, Carpenter’s Park, Russell Harber Landing, Blackwater River State Park, and Blackwater River State Forest.

SIGNIFICANCE The Blackwater Heritage State Trail forms a critical link in Santa Rosa County’s multiple use trail network. The trail is a part of the Florida Statewide Greenways and Trails Program Priority Multiple Use Trail Opportunity Map. U.S. Secretary of the Interior designated the trail as a National Recreational Trail in Annual visitation continues to grow.

HISTORY The Blackwater Heritage State Trail is aligned with the historic Florida and Alabama Railroad. The original rail line served the Bagdad Land and Lumber Company until it closed in In 1943 the Federal Government bought the corridor and extended the tracks four miles to Naval Air Station-Whiting Field. The line was used during construction of the base and later for hauling aviation fuel to the base. It was decommissioned in the 1970s. The State of Florida received title by donation in 1993 from the United States Department of the Interior’s Federal Lands to Parks program.

TRAIL CONSTRUCTION Oldest part of the trail, originating at Highway 90 near downtown Milton, completed in October of The second phase, continuing south of Highway 90 to the CSX rail line opened October of The trail connects to the north at Whiting Junction to the Military Heritage Trail. The trail is 8.1 miles long and 12 foot wide. The trail provides non-motorized transportation alternatives such as bicycling, walking, hiking, running, inline skating, and horseback riding.

FUNDING The paving of the trail was funded through Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds. TE projects are federally funded community based projects that help to expand travel alternatives and enhance the transportation experience through improvement of environmental, cultural, historic, and aesthetic aspects of transportation infrastructure. Funding is provided by the Federal Highway Administration and in Florida is administered by the Florida Department of Transportation. The trail could not have occurred without the support and funding provided by the Federal Highway Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation through the TE program.

BLACKWATER HERITAGE TRAIL, INC. The Blackwater Heritage Trail, Inc. serves as the Citizen Support Organization for the Blackwater Heritage State Trail. The mission of the Blackwater Heritage Trail, Inc. is to act as a nonprofit citizens support group to foster improvements and maintenance of the Blackwater Heritage State Trail, to develop additional linkages and a network of trails that connect with or are proximate to the trail, to promote environmental, cultural, and historical awareness of the trail, and to encourage the use of the trail as a healthful and safe facility for cycling, hiking, horseback riding, running, and related recreational activities. Completed a Transportation Enhancement proposal to rehabilitate State Road No. 1, the Old Spanish Trail, to provide a trail connection eastward to the Blackwater River State Forest and Blackwater River State Park. Through the leadership and direction of Santa Rosa County this project has been completed.

OLD SPANISH TRAIL CONNECTION Just east of Milton is State Road No. 1, a historic brick transportation corridor extending to just outside of Blackwater River State Forest. Built in 1921 as part of the Old Spanish Trail extending coast to coast. Road listed on the National Register of Historic Places Transportation Enhancement project led by Santa Rosa County rehabilitated the road and repaired all gaps. In addition, a connection was made to the entrance road to Blackwater River State Forest. The Old Spanish Trail was connected by the Longleaf Trail through Blackwater River State Forest to Blackwater River State Park, opening up hundreds of miles of forest roads and trails to recreationists.

MARQUIS BAYOU BRIDGE REPLACEMENT The historic Marquis Bayou Bridge, just east of Milton, was built in Bridge needed replacement due to structural deficiencies. The bridge stands between downtown Milton on the banks of the Blackwater River and the historic State Road No. 1, the Old Spanish Trail. The gap that existed in this area was an impediment to safe bicycle and pedestrian use. FDOT used a model approach of engagement and collaboration with local government and community groups to develop an aesthetically pleasing bridge complete with quality bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure. FDOT also closed the remaining bike/ped infrastructure gap thus connecting to downtown Milton. Portions of the original historic bridge railings were also reused in the new bridge construction.

VILLAGE OF BAGDAD & CITY OF MILTON CONNECTOR Long term plan has existed to connect the Blackwater Heritage State Trail through the City of Milton to the Village of Bagdad. Less than 0.9 miles separates the two communities. Both are on the National Register of Historic Places The connection when completed will culminate at the Bagdad Mill Site Park Santa Rosa County and the City of Milton have been working on closing this gap and have been successful in building sidewalks to the Milton Train Depot and working with CSX on a signalized and protected bike/ped crossing.

BAGDAD MILL SITE PARK Park under development by Santa Rosa County as a passive recreational park. Historic Bagdad Land and Lumber Company site through Rail lines and tramways ran throughout Santa Rosa County to deliver yellow pine lumber to the mill. A multiple use trail loops around the park and connects to the Village of Bagdad, one of two National Register Historic Districts in Santa Rosa County. Park to open in 2016.

OTHER PRIORITY CONNECTOR TRAIL PROJECTS Military Heritage Trail from NAS- Whiting Field northward to Blackwater River State Forest. Bike lanes added to County Road 191 from Blackwater Heritage State Trail crossing north to Blackwater River State Forest and State Highway 4. Blackwater Heritage Trail south to Bagdad Mill Site Park. Portions of this project have been completed by the City of Milton and Santa Rosa County and another segment is set for construction soon. Only a 0.7 mile gap will remain between the City of Milton and the Bagdad Mill Site Park along Henry Street.

REGIONAL TRAILS MAP Developed by Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council. Highlights land and water based trails over a multi- county area. Emphasizes the great bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure already in place and opportunities to close gaps and better connect to urban areas. Connecting the Blackwater Heritage State Trail and other trails together and to urban areas will take time but by working together and through innovative FDOT programs like Complete Streets we will be able to do so.

TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES, COMPLETE STREETS, AND CONTINUING THE MOMENTUM Increasing transportation options helps to reduce the number of car trips and ultimately the use of cars. Closing gaps in bike/ped infrastructure encourages use of those facilities due to increased safety and resulting perception by user groups. The easier and safer communities make it to use alternative forms of transportation, the more those alternatives are chosen. Both residents and tourists alike often want to be active and recreate. In an area and a state where tourism is a major part of the economy, it just makes economic sense to invest in the needed transportation infrastructure to support those uses. Multiple use trails, dedicated bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe crossings are all part of improving our transportation system for all users. Special thanks to FDOT, Santa Rosa County, the City of Milton, and numerous businesses and community groups for working together on the examples shared today of improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

THANK YOU