Parks and Recreation Director Angie Whisnant presented to the Brooksville City Council the prospect of becoming a designated Trail Town at the November 2, 2020 regular City Council meeting. City Council members unanimously approved to submit an application on behalf of the city.
An application previously submitted by Natalie Kahler, the Executive Director of Brooksville Main Street, however will be withdrawn in order to streamline the process so the city can submit their own application, which will encompass more area than Brooksville Main Street.
Kahler did however address the council and stated, “It’s important that we get (the Trail Town designation). My concern with the application is that it does not include the Florida Mermail Trail on it … which is a problem because it’s a very utilized trail, and very important to my district.”
Wishant addressed Kahler’s concern, and said, “In any areas of the application, if there is additional information that we thought would help our chances, then that should be INSERT IGNOREed in that proper question.”
The council members agreed, and the Mermaid Trail will be included in the city’s application.
A Trail Town in Florida is a community located along or in proximity to one or more long-distance non-motorized recreational trails. The trail can be paved or unpaved, or even in the water, such as a paddling trail. Equestrian and hiking trails are other examples, specifically when users are invited to venture off the main path to enjoy outdoor equipment shops, restaurants, a grocery store, local shops and lodging.
Recognized towns receive free Trail Town signs, stickers and publicity.
Currently throughout Florida, Dunedin, Titusville, Malabar, Vilano Beach, Clermont, Palatka, Inverness, Deltona, Everglades City, and Winter Garden are designated Trail Towns.
