Amelia Island Trail Update

Amelia Island Trails
Mike Spino

August 5, 2016 11:00 a.m.

Trail 1
Susan Taylor, Ronda Bokram and friends on the Wednesday North Florida Bicycle Club Social Ride on the Amelia Island Trail.

Most Amelia Island residents are aware of the 6.2 mile Amelia Island Trail which extends from Peter’s Point Beachfront Park to the south end of the George Crady fishing bridge. Since its completion and designation as part of the East Coast Greenway in 2013 trail traffic has increased steadily. Friends of the Amelia Island Trail President Mike Pikula noted increased numbers of cyclists and walkers using the trail especially during the Wednesday morning social ride of the North Florida Bicycle Club. Led by North Florida Bike Club members the Wednesday morning ride attracts 20 to 30 riders each week.

Trail 2

Local cyclists recently welcomed the opening of SuperCorsa Cycles at 4925 First Coast Highway) on the Amelia Island Trail. Owners Drew and Tasha Carver invited visitors to their official Grand Opening on Saturday June 11. Their new bike shop is located directly adjacent to the Amelia Island Trail, just south of Baxter’s Restaurant. SuperCorsa Cycles is a supporter of Friends of the Amelia Island Trail.

The Raleighs were donated to the Friends of the Amelia Island Trail by local residents Don and Marsha Joyner. The bikes were carefully restored by local bike enthusiast Gus Reinwald and were auctioned off to support the Amelia Island Trail expansion. Go the Friends of the Amelia Island Facebook page to see the lucky winners. (www.facebook.com/ameliaislandtrail/).

Trail 3 Crop
Cheryl and Pete Onstott test ride vintage Raleigh 3 speeds that were auctioned off to support the Amelia Island Trail (bike helmets are recommended).

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has awarded a contract for the trail design for the 2.2 mile Simmons Road segment of the Amelia Island Trail and design work is under way. Construction start is planned for 2017 with completion of the paved trail in 2018. The developer of Crane Island has informally agreed to provide a connecting trail from the western end of the future Simmons Trail to an overlook on the Amelia River. The Friends of the Amelia Island Trail have raised $5,700 for trailside amenities such as information kiosks, benches and signage. Additional donations are still encouraged and appreciated.

Amelia Island Trail users are also looking forward to the opening of the connecting segments of the Timucuan Trail on Big and Little Talbot islands. The opening of the boardwalk segment of the Timucuan Trail has been delayed until a safe crossing of highway A1A is completed is completed in August, 2016, according to FDOT. When this section of the Timucuan Trail opens users will be able to travel continuously via off-road trails for over ten miles from Peter’s Point Park to the middle of Big Talbot Island. Additional segments of the Timucuan Trail are planned by FDOT. The next first scheduled construction will be a short segment from the north end of the bridge over Ft George Inlet northward into Little Talbot Island State Park. Other trail segments are in planning as well as new bridges over Simpsons and Myrtle Creeks.

Visit the Amelia Island Trail web page www.AmeliaIslandTrail.org for news and updates.

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Faith Ross
Faith Ross(@faith-ross)
7 years ago

I want to thank the Amelia Island Trail group for their dedication in making Fernandina more bicycle friendly. As a participant conducting this year’s trail survey, it was amazing to see how many tourists as well as locals utilized the paved trails for not only cycling but for walking. It is a special treat to be able to walk among the canopy trees at the southern end of the island without being worried about the dangers of cars. Thank you!

Dan Groth
Dan Groth(@c-daniel-grothgmail-com)
7 years ago

Nice Report, Mike !!