Everglades City
by Patty Huff
A Trail Town is a vibrant destination where people come together. It is a place where trail users can venture off a hiking, biking, equestrian or paddling trail to enjoy the amenities and unique heritage of the community, benefiting the town economically and socially.
My first experience with trail towns was in 2008 when my husband and I drove to Virginia to bike around the state, beginning with the Virginia Creeper Trail linking the two trail towns of Abingdon and Damascus in southwest Virginia. The trail has been an economic boom to the area and shows how historic towns can be revitalized with tourism.
I was very excited when Florida established its Trail Town Program in 2018 and for Everglades City to be designated as the state’s 9th trail town in 2019. The following year we were able to have an office located in the Everglades Area Visitor Center at 207 West Broadway. Our volunteer staff provides information about all the amenities that we have to offer in our area and within our seven national and state parks/preserves.
Everglades City will be hosting the next quarterly meeting of the Florida Greenways & Trails Council on Thursday and Friday, April 10-11, at the Everglades Community Church Fellowship Hall. The public is invited to attend and learn more about Florida’s Trail Town Program.
Now, there are 21 trail towns throughout Florida, each one with its own special facilities and opportunities. For more information, visit Floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/content/trail-town-program.
