A new trail connection in Sarasota is moving closer to reality following a funding decision this week.
On October 6, Sarasota County commissioners approved approximately $3.79 million in funding for a planned 1.7-mile multiuse trail connecting 17th Street Regional Park to Nathan Benderson Park.
The proposed route would follow the north side of 17th Street and the east side of Honore Avenue before reaching Athletes Drive, which leads into the southern portion of Nathan Benderson Park.
But this project is about more than connecting two parks.
The trail is part of a larger effort to expand Sarasota’s walking and biking network, eventually creating a continuous connection between the Legacy Trail, Bobby Jones Golf Club and Nature Park, 17th Street Regional Park, and Nathan Benderson Park near University Town Center.
Once the remaining connections are completed, residents could have a much more extensive network for walking, running, and biking between Sarasota’s established neighborhoods and the UTC area.
The county recently completed another portion of the network extending north from Beneva Road across Fruitville Road to Circus Trail.
Additional work is planned to connect Circus Trail through the Bobby Jones property to 17th Street Regional Park, helping close another gap in the overall route.
For the newly funded 1.7-mile segment, the county expects to begin advertising for contracted services before the end of 2026, with construction procurement anticipated in early 2027 and contract awards expected before summer.
The trail is not open or under construction yet, but the latest funding approval represents another important step toward connecting Sarasota’s parks and recreational destinations.
As Sarasota continues to grow, projects like this can improve how residents move between neighborhoods, parks, and community amenities without relying entirely on cars.
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