The Hillsborough MPO proudly hosted the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation Board Meeting on February 4th and 5th. The Foundation’s Board raises and invests resources to promote a statewide system of greenways and trails that further economic benefits, offer safe transportation alternatives, improve access to parks, preserves, and scenic byways, and enhance healthy recreational opportunities for citizens and visitors. Since its inception, the Board has raised more than one million dollars to support programs and projects.
The event kicked off with a Riverwalk Boat Tour of downtown Tampa narrated by the City of Tampa’s Riverwalk Development Manager, Lee Hoffman and piloted by MPO’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Chair, Jim Shirk. Later, several excellent presentations were heard focused on the vision of a regionally connected trail system. Emphasized was the economic benefit communities with robust trail systems.
Planning professionals from Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota counties shared project ideas for connecting gaps to neighboring counties and the state-wide trail system. That’s where the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation comes in, offering guidance on getting those trail gaps prioritized… and funded!
[list type=”arrow”][li]View the rest of this month’s Walk Bike News articles including Vision Zero and making safe connections![/li][/list]