Social and Recreational Benefits
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities enhance the quality of life for many individuals. Multi-use trails are great places for outdoor recreation such as hiking, cycling or
equestrian uses. Multi-use pathways are great opportunities for communities to get to know one another. They offer a chance for people to get out of their homes and cars and come in contact with each other on a regular basis. Trails contribute to personal interaction, neighborhood socialization, and community unity.
Health Benefits
The amount of walking has declined 42% in 20 years while the number of overweight Americans has mushroomed to 40%. Regular physical activity provides short-term benefits and reduces long-term risks for disability and premature death. Moreover, physical activity need not be strenuous to be beneficial; men and women of all ages benefit from moderate physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week. The goal of creating a trails system will be to offer close to home recreation opportunities to reduce obesity and the chronic, lethal health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Environmental Benefits
Along with on-road facilities and sidewalks, trails encourage the use of non-polluting transportation alternatives to the automobile for those short trips to work, school, or the local store. A quarter of all trips taken by Americans are under a mile, but 75% of those trips are done by car, and only 1/3 of school children who live less than a mile from school now walk to school.
Economic Benefits
Outdoor recreation represents one of the most vigorous growth areas in the U.S. Economy. According to the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of Americans, outdoor recreation generated at least $40 billion dollars in 1996, accounting for 768,000 full-time jobs and $13 billion dollars in annual wages. Along Florida’s West Orange Trail, the average annual expenditure for clothing accessories, equipment, books, and other items as a direct result of the trail was $190.34 per user.
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Great Calusa Blueway
Phase 1:
Beginning at the Imperial River in Bonita, Lee
County's Paddling trail is now marked and leads
paddlers through some of the most spectacular
sections of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. There are
50 markers along this 35-mile section in Lee County.
Phase 2:
Currently in the planning stage, beginning at Bunche Beach (San Carlos Bay Preserve), one route will take paddlers deep into Matlacha Pass, with many mangrove tunnels and side trails to explore. The other route will follow the outer islands through Pine Island Sound with stops at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Cabbage Key and camping at Cayo Costa State Park. The two routes then meet and travel as one up to Charlotte County where there are numerous blueway opportunities. Lee County hopes to have this second phase trail marked by March 2004.
Phase 3:
A paddling trail along the Caloosahatchee River is a possible future blueway. For more information visit the Blueway online.
Ten Mile Linear Park
The Park will include a trail utilizing the Ten Mile Canal right of way on each side. This urban park will extend from north of Colonial Avenue to Mullock Creek, in the Jamaica Bay area. This project, when completed, will provide a north-south pedestrian and bicycle route from the North Colonial Linear Park (east and west) to south Fort Myers. The County has recently contracted with a firm for the planning and design of this park. Phase one is under construction and should be completed by
October 2005. Phase two design should be completed in August 2005. For a map of the projected phases click here.
North Colonial Linear Park
This existing 2.7 mile bicycle/pedestrian pathway (see jogging photo above) parallels the North Colonial Waterway from Metro Parkway at the west to Ortiz Avenue at the east. It also passes through the southern portion of the Eastwood Golf Course before connecting to the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. From here one could travel north to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. or south along Six Mile Slough Parkway. Because the Park will be linked with the Ten Mile Linear Park at the east and the Six Mile Linear Park to the west, it will serve as a key link in an integrated bike and pedestrian system exceeding 30-miles long.
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