Florida Senate - 2016                            (NP)    SR 1758
       
       
        
       By Senator Latvala
       
       20-02421-16                                           20161758__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution commemorating the 25th anniversary of the
    3         Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, in 1983, the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail began as
    6  the vision of a man who, after his son was killed while riding
    7  his bicycle, helped form the Pinellas County Metropolitan
    8  Planning Organization’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, and
    9         WHEREAS, this committee, in conjunction with the Pedestrian
   10  Safety Committee, hoped to find a safe and convenient place to
   11  enjoy bicycle riding, walking, and jogging, and
   12         WHEREAS, at the same time, Pinellas County was attempting
   13  to find a use for a 34-mile corridor of abandoned CSX railroad
   14  right-of-way, and
   15         WHEREAS, in 1990, the first 6-mile section of the Fred
   16  Marquis Pinellas Trail opened and later grew into a 47-mile
   17  greenway that reaches from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, and
   18         WHEREAS, the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a unique
   19  greenway corridor linking some of Pinellas County’s most
   20  picturesque parks, scenic coastal areas, and residential
   21  neighborhoods, and
   22         WHEREAS, the trail is a priceless haven in a busy, urban
   23  environment in the most densely populated county in Florida, and
   24  officials estimate that more than 90,000 residents and guests
   25  use the multimodal transportation facility each month, and
   26         WHEREAS, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy quiet glades,
   27  waterways, and tidal streams with all varieties of land and
   28  water birds, and
   29         WHEREAS, the trail is named in honor of former Pinellas
   30  County Administrator Fred Marquis, who was a tireless proponent
   31  of converting the abandoned rail corridor to public use, and
   32         WHEREAS, Pinellas Trails, Inc., an all-volunteer, nonprofit
   33  organization, in partnership with Pinellas County government,
   34  has helped to make the trail a model of outdoor recreation, NOW,
   35  THEREFORE,
   36  
   37  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   38  
   39         That the Florida Senate recognizes the 25th anniversary of
   40  the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail and acknowledges the support of
   41  citizens, county employees, and communities along the trail
   42  which have helped to make it a unique gem in this state.