Prior to the meeting on Thursday, we went on a walking tour of the historic buildings along Broadway and stopped by the Everglades Area Visitor Center and the Museum of the Everglades. During the Council meeting, Dayna Fendrick and I gave a presentation of the progress and accomplishments Everglades City has made in the past six years since it was designated a Trail Town in 2019. The Council was impressed with the information and maps that are provided to tourists at our Visitor Center at 207 West Broadway, especially the brochures on birding, hiking, biking, and paddling trails and opportunities available to experience our state and national parks and preserves. Duke Vassey was the next speaker who enlightened the Council with a very interesting slide show and talk about paddling from Everglades City and kayaking/canoeing in nearby areas. 

The Council discussed and received updates on a number of trails in Southwest Florida, including the Collier to Polk Regional Trail, the Paradise Coast Trail, the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT), and the Florida Gulf Coast Trail. They also received an update on the SUNTrail program. 

After the meeting on Thursday, participants were guided on a swamp walk through the Fakahatchee by the Park’s Safety Coordinator Jackie Wright who did a fantastic job in sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for this beautiful preserve in our own backyard.

I would like to express our appreciation to Connie Barker and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Everglades Community Church for the use of Jinkins Hall in providing us an excellent venue for this state meeting.

For more information: 

Florida Greenways & Trails Council, visit https://floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/content/florida-greenways-and-trails-council 

Florida Trail Town Program, visit https://floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/content/trail-town-program

SUNTrail Program, visit https://www.fdot.gov/planning/systems/systems-management/SUNTrail.