As anyone who watched the growth of the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail from an idea to a completed paved project can attest, the speed of development can test the endurance of even the most patient of cyclists, but in the end it was worth the wait.
In the Jacksonville area there are two trail projects nearing completion that have been a long time coming. They should soon offer some new scenery for those who like paved off-road riding and are looking to put some variety under their wheels.
Just south of Orange Park is a new trail that in mid-January was about 90 percent paved. When it was started in September, construction was supposed to be completed by February, and it's close to running on schedule.
The $3 million project runs along the west side of U.S. 17, snaking 6.8 miles in and out of the trees and offering trail riders and walkers a nice buffer from the fast-moving traffic and clouds of exhaust. A portion of the route will run through wetlands with a boardwalk instead of asphalt.
Jeanne Hargrave, a member of the Suwannee Bicycle Association from Jacksonville and ride director for the North Florida Bicycle Club, said she thinks the trail will appeal more to the occasional recreation riders, rather than more experienced cyclists used to riding on the road.
"They're already using it," Hargrave said.
She said the trail would eventually be part of a 20-mile loop. The parking lot for the trail is located on the west side of U.S. 17, just north of the bridge over Black Creek in Green Cove Springs. Terry Jeffers, program coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department in Clay County, said the county owns 14 acres on the site that could eventually be developed into a park with restrooms and picnic pavilions. Initially the push is to get the parking lot paved by the time the trail officially opens.
The little town of Baldwin on U.S. 301 is also getting a 14.5 mile rail-trail link to the west side of Jacksonville in what officials in Duval County are calling their longest park.
The 100-foot wide strip of land follows an abandoned CSX Transportation line that runs from the intersection of County Road 121 near the Duval-Nassau County line west of Baldwin, east to Imeson Road, near Interstate 295. The project was first proposed nearly 10 years ago. Groundbreaking took place in November to begin construction.
"People are chomping at the bit to get out there," said Louie D. Jenkins, Jr., Jacksonville Park Recreation and Entertainment Department, Parks Manager.
Jenkins said the main trailhead will be in Jacksonville. To reach it from Gainesville take U.S. 301 north to I-10 East, then take I-295 north to the Commonwealth Ave. Exit. Follow Commonwealth Ave. west to Imeson Road. Take a right on Imeson Road and there will be a parking lot for the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail.
The trail is a paved 12-foot wide strip of blacktop, with a parallel adjacent equestrian trail similar to the one that runs from Gainesville to Hawthorne. The old rail line it follows was abandoned 23 years ago and, like most rail trails, it's nearly hill free.
"It's a very natural trail, you have a nice canopy all the way," Jenkins said.
There is also access from Baldwin — a closer starting point for those in Gainesville — by taking U.S. 301 north through Starke and Lawtey and into Baldwin. In Baldwin take a right on U.S. 90 and then left on Center Street, which dead-ends at the trail. The trail actually begins outside of Baldwin, near the intersection of Duval County Road 121.
There will be four restrooms, with fountains along the route. Jenkins said the trail should essentially be finished by February and wrapped up completely by March.