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History of the award-winning Pinellas Trail

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SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF REPORT

Published: October 25, 2008

The Pinellas Trail, 34 miles of former railroad right of way, began as a vision of Bert Vallery in 1983.

Vallery, a Pinellas County resident, was inspired to promote a safe area for bicyclists, strollers and joggers after his son died in a bicycle accident.

Pinellas County at that time was wrestling with what to do with a corridor of abandoned CSX railroad right of way. Planners saw the desire to create a trail as the answer to its question.

Voters approved a local option, one-cent sales tax increase in 1989. It helped finance the Trail and many other infrastructure improvements.

In 1997, an extra penny was extended for another 10 years.

The first 5-mile section of the Trail opened in 1990. It connected Taylor Park in Largo to Seminole Park in Seminole.

After subsequent extensions, the Trail now traverses from Tarpon Springs on the north to St. Petersburg on the south.

The recreation trail was renamed in honor of Fred Marquis after Marquis retired in 2000, following 21 years as county administrator.

Marquis returned to the administrator's job on an interim basis in October 2007.

Plans are to further extend it parallel to the east side of the county and connect it to a trail in the East Lake area.

It holds the distinction of being named one of the 10 best trails in the U.S. by Rollerblade Inc. magazine.

The Trail, which has eight overpasses and 88 street crossings, passes through several downtown areas.

Along the way are bike racks, public parking, storm shelters, picnic tables, water fountains, restrooms and refreshment stops.

Scenic amenities include quiet waterways, deep glades of ancient live oaks trailing Spanish moss and a variety of land and water birds.

No motorized vehicles are allowed on the Trail except those of handicapped.

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