Improvements expected for Legacy Trail

SARASOTA COUNTY - The Legacy Trail's parking problems on its north end and its gaps due to the lack of trestles to the south are the focus of a flurry of actions by county commissioners this week.

Another clue to the parking puzzle along the increasingly popular 11-mile trail fell into place as the county agreed Tuesday to spend $2.9 million to buy land for parking and other uses along the trail's entry on Bay Street in Osprey.

"We're pretty much good to go on the south side," said Parks Director John McCarthy. The 10-acre land purchase should relieve parking problems to the south, but parking in Palmer Ranch at the north end of the 11-mile-long trail remains a problem.

Because of neighborhood complaints, county commissioners also voted Tuesday to ban parking on the east side of McIntosh Road near the trail. There is a nearby county park where trail users can park, but apparently they feel it is too far away and have been parking along McIntosh.

The county is talking with Palmer Ranch Holdings about using a portion of its property near the north terminus of the trail, and parks staff were told to explore whether land owned by the county's sewer utility about a mile to the south could be connected to the trail and opened for parking.

County commissioners are expected today to set aside $2.5 million toward funding the final $6 million of the trail's costs.

That will be for building trestles across Dona and Roberts bays. In all, the trail is expected to cost $32 million. The county expects to put the trestles out for bid early next year and finish the projects by late 2010.

Parking on the north side of Bay Street adjacent to the trail should be in place this fall. The county will then conduct public meetings to figure out what else the neighborhood would like to see on the property, McCarthy said. Restrooms are likely, as are picnic areas. A ballfield is needed in the area and there may be a need for a simple, open, peaceful area off the trail, he said.

The property is being bought from Dennis T. and Mary Ann Marlin. With closing and start-up costs, the county expects it will spend $3.1 million opening the new park.

By Doug Sword www.heraldtribune.com 7/23/08