By Jake Bell, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
The Great Outdoors is calling, so put on some walking shoes or dust off your bike and make sure the tires are inflated, because new trails are on the horizon for Apopkans. Bike/Walk Central Florida provided an update on the progress of its proposed trail network at the Apopka CIty Council meeting Wednesday, June 21st.
Patrick Panza, program director of Bike/Walk Central Florida, said that government and residents should be empowered to take advantage of the infrastructure and the use of active transportation that is and will be available, whether it be for “recreation” or “commute.”
“We know that’s a great part of a healthy lifestyle,” Panza said. “It’s great for public health, it’s great for mental health.”
Panza presented studies and surveys to help identify “trail corridors” and “trail quarters” so that the organization can “prioritize” how it would apply to the regional network of existing trails. He said Apopka, geographically, has a lot of potential to connect with the regional network and that he would like for residents to be “able to take advantage of their position.”
The purpose of expanding Apopka’s trail network is to increase the amount of Apopkans that walk, bike and “roll,” while also making sure that it’s “comfortable and safe.”
According to Panza, an active transportation network is “any piece of infrastructure that facilitates and accommodates travel, whether that be for recreation, or leisure or commute in a non-motorized vehicle.”
Stakeholders in the project are xGeographic, Orange County government, MetroPlan Orlando, the City of Ocoee, Wintergarden, the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and Florida Department of Transportation. Panza said that Bike/Walk Central Florida meets with partners often and that they are able to brainstorm ideas with their help.
PJ Smith, representing xGeographic and a former City of Apopka intern, followed Panza and said to the City Council that to effectively do this project he’s compiled map data from various sources. During his portion of the presentation he displayed maps of existing and proposed trails. The new trails would run from Kelly Rock Springs and Wekiva Springs, through Downtown Apopka and to the restoration area of Lake Apopka.
“We have such an opportunity to do something really special in terms of connecting ecological points of interest, but also leveraging economic development…” Smith said. “…Not just riding in your car, but through having really comfortable shaded bicycle paths that people can get from point A to point B…”
The Coast to Coast trail will run from the east coast to west coast of Florida and connect with the West Orange Trail, which Smith referred to as the “spine” of the transportation network. He said that they will not only be able to merge the two trails, but to create a looped trail in Apopka.
The trails are planned to range from 10 to 14 feet wide and include “signed routes for bicyclists.” Smith said the trail network would help to take “cars off the road.” He said they have collected data from the past 10 years that focuses on where the most vehicle crashes with cyclists and pedestrians occur. The data helps them plan ahead and designate new trails to safe areas. For example, the trails will avoid “major road corridors like 441 and 436” because the idea is to stay away from heavily trafficked roadways.
The path of the trails would pass through economic activity centers, environmental locations and cultural points of interest. According to Smith, the plan that was presented is “feasible and cost effective.”
“We want to use your trail infrastructure as a catalyst for economic development,” Panza said.
Panza came to the podium one last time to finish the presentation and discuss the public feedback that they had collected up to that point. They sent out “750 postcards” to businesses in Apopka and held a “workshop on May 18.” He said the workshop’s turnout was not what he hoped for but that he enjoyed engaging with those who were there. They also have an online survey, which was expected to close in mid June, that is open and asks about preferred style of transport and amenities desired by those who would frequent the trails.
“We know so far that people like to walk in Apopka compared to… how often they bike in Apopka…” Panza said. “…Walking in Apopka is in the clear lead, often three to five days per week.”
Panza said that according to the survey, walking was determined to be done for exercise and recreation, while cycling was done primarily for transportation. The top destinations for those who would use the trails are “parks and recreation centers and regional trail networks.”
The most important aspect of the proposed trails, for those that participated in the survey, was “safety features at crossings and intersections” and the width of the path. The least popular options were “bike repair stations and bike parking.”
“The public input is going to be our most valuable tool and we’re coupling that with all of the massive research and investigation that PJ has helped us do…” Panza said. “…He’s given us a lot of insights to work with as well.”
Drew Morrison, who works for the city and formerly the sanitation department, and his wife like to walk the existing trails after a stressful day of work. He said what’s available to the public throughout Orlando offers a “beautiful journey” to travel and see Orange County. He said he’s glad that the project is being expanded on in Apopka.
“After a 16 to 17 hour work day I walk just for an hour to hear the peace and quiet and you’re not dealing with a whole bunch of traffic,” Morrison said. “Where we walk is very relaxed and it’s healthy for you too.”
He said that when the new trail is developed in Apopka, that the developers should focus on creating lighted crosswalk signals for pedestrians but that those walking or biking should also wear reflective vests to protect themselves. Morrison said that drivers are either too eager to get to their destination or they’re looking at their phones so pedestrians must stay vigilant when they are walking close to or crossing roadways.
Areli Patricio, an aspiring tattoo artist, spends time at Magnolia Park overlooking Lake Apopka when she needs to spend some time in solitude. Patricio uses the time to disconnect and indulge in sketching on her iPad. As an artist, she said that being around nature helps to inspire creativity and influences the subject of her drawings.
“I don’t come out here just because I want my peace, but I also come out here because it’s peaceful,” Patricio joked. “I think that we need more spots like this…”
Patricio said that it saddens her to see landmarks, like the “Buddhist tower,” being torn down and replaced by apartment complexes. The thought of a safe new trail excites her though because she and her sister are interested in getting into roller skating.
Panza and Smith are closing in on the construction phase of the project and said they will soon return to the City Council for their last presentation. From Kelly Rock Springs to Lake Apopka, the trail would give residents and tourists the opportunity to disconnect from the fast pace of their busy lives and breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun warming their face as they enjoy the trail solo or with friends.
“We’ll be pulling together a final presentation and report for you at the Council,” Panza said. “We’ll be working with staff through that the whole time of course, and then we move on to implementation.”
Below are a short-link and full URL to the project information website, which contains the survey as well:
