On November 7^th, 2000, Seminole County citizens, by a vote of 58%, approved a $25 million bond referendum that will fund the development of a network of urban and wilderness trails throughout the County and provide additional funds for the acquisition of Natural Lands. This bond will expand the scope of the twenty year 1990 Natural Lands referendum that has allowed the County to acquire 5,600 acres of environmentally sensitive lands for preservation.

Through this referendum, Seminole County will create an interconnected system of urban trails that will be over 50 miles long as well as connections to schools, parks, shopping and neighborhoods.

Among other major projects, the bond money will be used to advance the construction of the Cross Seminole Trail, a 14-mile urban trail, and complete the 4-mile connection from this trail to the Seminole Wekiva Trail, another 14-mile urban trail located west of I-4. The County intends to expand the $20 million set aside for trails by offering matching funds for federal grants, an important part in the prioritization process for these grants.

In addition, a 20-mile network of wilderness trails will be created including a section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, a 1,300-mile wilderness path, which runs from the panhandle to the Everglades.

Urban (paved) trails will provide citizens with two major benefits: a choice of transportation modes that will traverse the entire county and secondly, a safe, convenient recreational opportunity.

The tremendous support for this referendum is a clear indicator that the public wants a system of trails in their community. Seminole County is the leader in offering citizens a referendum primarily for trail construction. It is their hope that their innovation in this area will set a precedent for other local governments to follow.

RELATED INFORMATION

Seminole County Trails Protection Ordinance (PDF) [470KB]