Forming a spine for recreation in Sarasota County, the Legacy Path rests on greater than a century of Florida’s railroad historical past.
Established after the dying of railroad magnate Henry Plant, the Seaboard Air Line prolonged his trackage south from Tampa to Venice.
A chunk of the unique rail line at Phillippi CreekMany well-to-do northerners established winter properties within the area. Speculators bought massive tracts of land for growth.
Passenger service to Venice started in 1911. In 1925, Dr. Fred Albee purchased almost 3,000 acres of land from the Sarasota-Venice Firm.
The most important of the event companies, its backer was Chicago socialite Bertha Honore Palmer.
The historic Venice DepotAlbee retained famous architect John Nolan to design the town of Venice. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers purchased the property and agreed to develop the deliberate Italian Renaissance village.
In the meantime, John Ringling, having settled in Sarasota, moved his circus winter headquarters there in 1927, transporting performers and animals by practice from and to Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Trailside mural in Venetian Waterway ParkIn 1959, the circus homeowners leased 15 undeveloped acres on the Venice airport, which served as an Military Air Corps coaching base throughout World Struggle II.
On November 29, 1960, greater than 10,000 individuals gathered to satisfy the primary circus practice to Venice.
A passenger automotive from the circus practice trailside in VeniceWhen the trackage was deserted by the Seminole Gulf Railroad in 1992, the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus left Venice for good.
It took almost 15 years for Sarasota County to finish negotiations and buy the railroad hall, which was opened in phases because the Legacy Path.
Plans unveiled at Venice Depot, 2011Sources
Overview
Location: Venice to SarasotaLength: 19.8 miles linearAddress: 303 E Venice AveLand supervisor: Sarasota CountyPhone: 941-861-5000
Open 6 AM to sundown. Leashed canine welcome; decide up after your pet. Coated benches and bike restore stations supplied. No tenting allowed alongside the hall.
Trailheads
SOUTH to NORTH
Legacy Park, 395 E Venice Ave, VenicePatriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd, VeniceNokomis Group Park, 234 Nippino Trl E, NokomisNokomis Riverview Park, 251 Riverview Dr S, NokomisLaurel Park, 509 Collins Rd, LaurelOscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S Tamiami Trl, OspreyOsprey Junction Trailhead, 939 E Bay St, OspreyMcIntosh Rd Parking, 7905 McIntosh Rd, SarasotaCulverhouse Nature Park, 7301 McIntosh Rd, SarasotaAshton Trailhead, 4301 Ashton Rd, SarasotaSarasota Springs Trailhead, 4012 Webber St, SarasotaPompano Trailhead, 601 S Pompano Ave, SarasotaPayne Park, 2010 Adams Ln, Sarasota
In regards to the Path
Opened in phases because the county acquired and paved items of the previous railbed, the Legacy Path opened its first phase in 2005.
Watching it develop, we hiked and biked segments however didn’t sort out the total size till 2022. We’ve been again greater than as soon as for added rides.
Venice terminus, 2018Over time, the county has added new trailheads alongside the route and created hyperlinks into current group parks and neighborhoods.
They’ve additionally changed street crossings with bridges for security’s sake. We anticipate that transformation to proceed as each ridership and site visitors will increase.
Ashton TrailheadAlong with its many trailheads, the Legacy Path has relaxation stops strategically positioned for hikers and runners. Every contains a coated bench with the identify “Station” on the roof.
All have trash cans and show boards with maps. A number of the stations embrace interpretion of railroad historical past. A handful supply a transportable rest room close by.
Historic mileposts from the railroad period do a countdown northward in the direction of Richmond, Virginia. Markers embedded within the path each tenth of a mile present a location quantity for 911 calls.
Unique milepostPath Particulars
Start a northbound journey from Legacy Park by passing beneath the Legacy Path archway. Edged by mangroves, the straightaway crosses Hatchett Creek.
A gradual climb in the direction of the US 41 bridge begins. Reaching its peak, coast down in the direction of Venetia Bay, a restaurant and lodge advanced house to Patriot Park.
US 41 bridgePassing a aspect path offering entry to the advanced at 0.8 miles, proceed alongside the straightaway on a barely elevated causeway.
A shorter climb results in the bridge over Curry Creek, with bumpout remark decks. The creek flows in the direction of the Gulf. Residences rise alongside its close to shores.
Curry CreekA gap on the left reveals Nokomis Group Park at 1.6 miles. Come to the primary shelter and first street crossing on the path, Colonia Ln. It has a crosswalk with pedestrian warning sign.
Past a hall of commercial buildings, cross the doorway to Nokomis Riverview Park. A wooded hall offers an strategy to Roberts Bay.
Roberts BayCross the bay at 1.8 miles. Statement decks tempt for views throughout the water. Though edged by vegetation, residences are seen behind fences alongside the straightaway.
A kiosk marks the doorway to the paths inside Laurel Park at 2.6 miles. The steep rise to the Laurel Rd bridge is just like the one over US 41.
Laurel Park entranceReturning to floor stage previous some industrial buildings, the straightaway turns into a nice unbroken wooded hall.
Cross Mission Valley Station at 4.4 miles. A relaxation cease among the many pines comes up shortly by the overpass of Hwy 681.
Mission Valley StationNorth of the overpass, enter probably the most immersive stretch of pure habitat because the path is surrounded by the expanse of Oscar Scherer State Park.
The bridge over South Creek has a phase of historic railroad trestle adjoining. At 5.7 miles, a gate into the park offers entry to restrooms and picnic pavilion (price charged).
Using by way of Oscar Scherer State ParkA set of gates enabling a climbing path crossing are simply earlier than Oscar Scherer Station. Oak hammock surrounds the path because it continues to Osprey Junction Station.
Osprey Junction Trailhead sits cattycorner throughout Bay St at 7.1 miles. It has a big lot, restrooms, and picnic shelters.
Crossing Bay Road in OspreyWarning indicators about alligators are posted because the path approaches North Creek. Virginia willow surrounds the trail because it involves and crosses the bridge.
Cross Pine Ranch Station on this properly wooded hall. Central Sarasota Parkway Station adjoins the path inside view of the street crossing of the 4 lane parkway at 9.1 miles.
North Creek bridgeCross a railroad crossing gate north of this crossing. Dry upland forest largely flanks the subsequent stretch, besides across the Catfish Creek bridge.
Encounter extra willow marsh trailside earlier than drawing near Palmer Ranch Station. Past this cease is the entry path to McIntosh Rd Parking at 10 miles.
McIntosh Rd Parking turnoffCrossing Palmer Ranch Parkway at a site visitors mild, proceed north previous Culverhouse Station and the doorway to Culverhouse Nature Park.
When the split-rail park fence ends, homes and condos loom behind sparse bushes and shrubs. Cross Sawyer Loop utilizing a pedestrian-activated site visitors sign at 11.5 miles.
Sawyer Loop crossingCatfish Creek Station comes up shortly, with a bridge simply previous it over Catfish Creek. A not-so-subtle shift to city happens as warehouses adjoin the trail. Cross busy Clark Rd on the site visitors mild at 12.2 miles.
The path is now firmly in a enterprise hall. With restrooms, picnic tables, and a playground, the massive Ashton Trailhead sits north of the Ashton Rd pedestrian crossing.
Ashton TrailheadThe straightaway proceeds by way of an older residential space, crossing Proctor Rd at a pedestrian-activated sign. Proceed behind backyards to the Wilkinson Rd crosswalk.
Attain the industrial district surrounding busy Bee Ridge Rd. At 14.4 miles, climb the bridge for an up and over site visitors, a welcome alternative to the previous crosswalk.
Up a fenced stretch with oaks worn ragged by hurricane winds, attain the Sarasota Springs Trailhead at 15 miles. Simply previous it’s the Webber St crossing with a pedestrian-activated sign.
Sarasota Springs TrailheadAlongside this subsequent stretch on a broad hall between neighborhoods, anticipate to begin encountering residents of Pinecraft, a historic Amish and Mennonite group.
The Amish don’t drive, however they do journey by bike. The group is bisected by Bahia Vista St at 16.1 miles. Passing the Carlisle Inn, observe a delicate curve as much as Phillippi Creek.
An unique trestle adjoins the path bridge. Phillippi Station presents a relaxation break and background on the realm.
Crossing Phillippi CreekThe curve continues by way of Pinecraft to a pedestrian-activated sign crossing for busy four-lane Beneva Rd. Now heading west, cross one other bridge subsequent to a historic trestle.
Regardless of the city environment, the path is buffered by bushes and a ditch. The entry path north into Pompano Trailhead is at 17.4 miles
Beneva Rd crossingA mile later, a Y junction splits the path. The straight-ahead path to downtown Sarasota shouldn’t be but full. Bear proper to show northward.
Curve alongside a line of condos. The place they finish, a path to the left results in Patriot Park, the northernmost trailhead for the Legacy Path.
Cross Ringling Blvd on the crosswalk. Proceed another city block to the official finish of the Legacy Path at Fruitville Rd.
Northern terminusMileage
0.0 Legacy Park (Venice terminus)0.6 US 41 bridge0.8 Patriot Park entry path1.0 Curry Creek1.1 Nokomis Group Park1.6 Nokomis Riverview Park1.8 Roberts Bay2.6 Laurel Park2.7 Laurel Rd bridge4.4 Mission Valley Station5.1 SR 681 overpass5.7 Oscar Scherer State Park access6.1 Oscar Scherer Station7.1 Osprey Junction Station7.1 Osprey Junction Trailhead8.1 Pine Ranch Station9.1 Central Sarasota Parkway Station10.0 Palmer Ranch Station (entry to McIntosh Rd parking)10.7 Culverhouse Station10.8 Culverhouse Nature Park11.6 Catfish Creek Station12.8 Ashton Trailhead15.0 Sarasota Springs Trailhead16.4 Phillippi Creek Station16.8 Beneva Rd crossing light17.4 Pompano Trailhead18.4 Y junction (W department in the direction of downtown)18.6 Payne Park access18.9 Fruitville Rd (Sarasota terminus)
Advisable Segments
Venice to Osprey
Since street crossings are commonplace on the northern finish of the path, the southern finish is extra pleasing for informal rides, hikes, and household outings.
Northbound from the Venice terminus at Legacy Park, cross the steep overpass bridge over US 41. Two lengthy bridges span showy estuaries.
Each afford nice viewsBetween them lies one not-terribly-busy street crossing at Colonia Ln. Past it, a turnaround at Laurel Park (which has restrooms and water) makes for a 5.2 mile round-trip.
Or proceed up and over the Laurel Street bridge for a pleasant lengthy stretch with no street crossings, the wooded hall turning into woodland immersion inside Oscar Scherer State Park.
Path hall in Oscar Scherer State ParkThere’s a price for coming into the state park gate at 5.7 miles, the place a picnic pavilion and restrooms await. It’s a turnaround level for a 11.4 mile journey.
Or proceed by way of the rest of the state park to Osprey Junction Station, which faces Osprey Junction trailhead throughout busy Bay St. Flip round right here for a 14.2 mile journey.
Oscar Scherer again gateBeginning at Legacy Park makes it straightforward so as to add extra miles southbound, too. The east aspect of Venetian Waterway Park has no street crossings southbound.
Take an easy spherical journey of 8 miles to Shamrock Park and again, or combine it up by crossing the Circus Bridge for a visit to Caspersen Seashore Park or into downtown on a devoted bike path.
Venetian Waterway ParkOsprey to Stoneybrook
From Osprey Junction trailhead, it’s 2.1 miles northbound in a wooded hall between subdivisions to Central Sarasota Parkway Station.
A left earlier than the street crossing diverts onto the Stoneybrook Nature Path and its in depth boardwalk. Reaching McIntosh Rd, flip round and return to Osprey Junction for a 5.6 mile round-trip.
Pine Ranch Station north of North CreekPalmer Ranch
Use the McIntosh Rd parking space for entry to the Palmer Ranch part of the path, which is essentially surrounded by a properly wooded basin.
Head southbound, reaching Central Sarasota Parkway at 1.1 miles. Flip round and proceed northbound previous Palmer Ranch Station to Palmer Ranch Parkway.
Attain it at 2.4 miles. Return south to Palmer Ranch Station and take the aspect path to exit to the McIntosh Rd parking space to finish a 3.1 mile journey.
Close to the McIntosh Rd turnoffCulverhouse Nature Park
A vacation spot in its personal proper, Culverhouse Nature Park offers nice environment for mile-long path phase inside pure habitats.
Pivoting off the parking space on the park, stroll as much as two miles between the street crossings at Palmer Ranch Pkwy and Sawyer Loop Rd.
Culverhouse StationConnections
Venetian Waterway Park
Encompassing paved pathways on each side of the Venetian Waterway south of Legacy Park, Venetian Waterway Park tacks on one other steady 4 mile linear journey south from mile 0 of the Legacy Path.
Interconnections throughout the Circus Bridge allow a round-trip to Caspersen Seashore park and a loop into downtown Venice on the bike path.
Entry to Venetian Waterway Park from Legacy ParkLegacy Path North Port Extension
This 5.8 mile linear paved path stands by itself, edging Deer Creek Prairie Protect and Shewe Ranch WMA parallel to Interstate 75 between the Forbes Path trailhead in Venice and the Calera St trailhead in North Port.
Street rides allow connections to each the Legacy Path and the choice of a 23.3 mile loop utilizing the graded Powerline Path throughout Large Slough Protect and Carlton Reserve. Gravel tires are a should for the loop.
The trail is in a nice wooded settingPath Map
Discover Extra!
Go to these parks alongside the Legacy Path
Oscar Scherer State Park A stronghold for Florida scrub-jays north of Venice, Oscar Scherer State Park is a vital island of biodiversity in an more and more overdeveloped area. Video
Using the Legacy Path
Slideshow
See our pictures from the Legacy Path
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Official Web site
Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Good friend & John Keatley, Florida authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.
