Editor’s Note: Due to heavy rain and flooding, Hillsborough County officials had to postpone the opening of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. The ribbon cutting, which had been scheduled for Aug. 7, will be re-scheduled for a later date. Notice of the cancellation was received after the publication deadline for The Laker/Lutz News.
Nature will be an up-close experience for strollers, joggers, skaters and cyclists as they navigate along the newest and most northern segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
Nearly 3 miles of the more than 4-mile trail segment cuts through Brooker Creek Preserve in Hillsborough County, between Lutz Lake Fern Road and Van Dyke Road.
The ribbon cutting for the $5.6 million project will be Aug. 7 at 10 a.m., at the new trailhead facility at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. Funding came from Hillsborough, South West Florida Water Management District (known as Swiftmud), and a federal grant provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.
“It’s going to be a beautiful trail,” said Tina Russo, Hillsborough’s regional planning coordinator. “It’s really awesome. This is such a unique experience being in the preserve.”
It also is a unique design for Hillsborough.
The 12-foot asphalt path, with three concrete boardwalks through wetlands, is the county’s first paved multi-use trail through a preserve.
The trail also is another link in a master plan to create a regional trail system, and a statewide system.
The trailhead at Lutz Lake can be a starting point south toward Van Dyke or northeast to the Suncoast Trail in Pasco County. The new facility has a covered picnic pavilion, restrooms and ample parking.
Suncoast is a 42-mile trail that runs from Hillsborough through Pasco and to Hernando County.
“I think we’re all looking forward to these types of amenities,” said James Edwards, Pasco’s transportation planning manager.
Construction of the path followed an eco-friendly design with much of the trail at grade level to allow for natural water run-off.
Along the trail there are narrower, unpaved walkways into conservation areas. Russo said bicycle racks would be provided.
She envisions the trail as a two-for-one deal, because it will appeal to local residents who want to enjoy the preserve. But, it will also have regional appeal for hikers and cyclists who enjoy combining Upper Tampa Bay and Suncoast trails for longer distances.
Trails aren’t only for recreation.
Commuters like them as well especially as the systems expand, Russo said.
Plans are under way to extend Suncoast. Hillsborough is hoping to fill in a gap between Van Dyke and a trailhead at Peterson Park that links the Upper Tampa Bay Trail with Town ‘N Country. The nearby Courtney Campbell Trail links Tampa and Clearwater. Eventually the trails through Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco could hit the 100-mile mark, Russo said.
Transportation planning and traffic studies are looking at ways to increase commuting options with park-ride facilities and public transit tied into trails.
“It’s a lot about transit and trails,” she said.
Published August 5, 2015
