Legacy Trail Now Open from Bahia Vista Street to Shamrock Park in Venice
The former railroad track converted to a recreational trail now runs from Bahia Vista Street south past the Historic Venice Train Depot to Shamrock Park in South Venice.
The original 12.5-mile Legacy Trail from the Historic Venice Train Station north to Culverhouse Nature Park opened was unpaved when it opened in 2006 and then it was paved in 2008.
Further expansion is coming… a south/east extension of the trail from Nokomis to North Port is anticipated to be open in early 2022.
The next big opening related to the trail is slated for Nov. 30, when Sarasota County opens the Ashton Road Trailhead at 4031 Ashton Road. Currently, northernmost trailhead is at Culverhouse Nature Park.
Bee Ridge Presbyterian Church at 4826 Mcintosh Road, is about a block east of The Legacy Trail, at the intersection of McIntosh and Proctor. The church is encouraging those who use the trail, to use their parking lot and utilize on the trail.
Other additions to the trail include,.. the Ashton Road Trailhead... Sarasota County is also scheduled to open the Sarasota Springs Trailhead at 4010 Webber Street and the Pompano Trailhead at 601 S. Pompano Ave, near the Sarasota Fairgrounds, which is where the former Division of Motor Vehicles testing, once occurred.
Construction of two Legacy Trail overpasses will come as well, where the trail currently crosses over Bee Ridge Road and Clark Road. These two overpasses (similar to ones along the trail at Laurel Road and at US 41 in Venice, may be ready by the end of 2024. Currently users of The Legacy Trail trail and motorists will utilize to raised crossed walk with the flashing lights. .
The newly expanded trail is ready for you to... walk, run, bike, rollerblade and more.... .
Photo: Getty Images