Ribbon-cutting ceremony planned at 3:30 p.m. near First Presbyterian Church, with ‘Cycle Celebration’ to follow for interested attendees
On March 31, members of the public are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Alderman Multi-Use Recreational Trail (MURT), which connects to The Legacy Trail, City of Sarasota staff have announced.
The event will be held at 3:30 p.m. on March 31 at the Bowman Court and South Payne Parkway trailhead, just south of First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota, a news release says. “A guided bike ride, ‘Cycle Celebration,’ ” will take place from 4 to 5 p.m., following the ceremony, the release adds.
“The trail completion provides a much-needed east-west connection for bicyclists and pedestrians along the southern portion of Payne Park from School Avenue to South Payne Parkway, the release points out.
Slightly longer than 0.2 miles, “the path is a short but important point of connectivity that supports diverse transportation needs,” the release explains. The trail includes a rest area with a shade shelter, a drinking fountain, benches and tables, and a bike repair station, as well as enhanced landscaping, the release notes.
Users of the MURT “will be able to safely connect to neighborhoods” and downtown Sarasota, where bike lanes and multi-use paths exist, the release says. While streamlining access, the trail will offer “a safe alternative for commuters and those seeking to enjoy outdoor recreation in Sarasota’s natural landscapes,” the release adds.
Noting that the event will be held during Florida Bike Month, the release points out that “the extension exemplifies how bicycle infrastructure connects communities, supports workforce transportation needs, and advances coordinated planning between local governments.”
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the release says, participants will be welcome to join the “Cycle Celebration” to hear from city and “Sarasota County planning staff about local infrastructure projects as they bike 8 miles round trip,” though a 5‑mile option will be available “for those who prefer a shorter route.”
The trail extension project was funded by a $400,000 grant that came through the Recreational Trails Program, “a federal initiative funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered at the state level by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection,” the release explains.
“Those participating in the guided bike ride should bring a bike, helmet, proper clothing, closed-toe shoes and a water bottle,” the release does note.
To register and learn ride details, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.