Paving of a trail

“I live in South Florida close to the Florida Scenic Trail. Actually I can see part of the trail if I step out of my office. The part of the trail I am talking about in this post is the part that goes around Lake Okeechobee. The trail goes around both sides and is about 110 miles around the lake. There is a man made earth dike all the way around the lake. It was built many years ago to protect the land and people from hurricanes. The area around the lake is mostly agricultural. The area does need some more year round jobs many of the agricultural jobs are seasonal.

Now some of our politicians are coming up with the idea of promoting Eco-tourism. One project to promote Eco-tourism is to pave the trail. Not sure how Eco and paving fit together but it’s politicians. I think they are really going after the bike riding and roller blading crowds. They are going to spend 25 million to do this paving. It going to cost more because it’s going to be a light colored asphalt.

I see a couple of problems here. Granted this part of the trail is not a wilderness experience. You are walking on top of a man made dike next to a highway on most of the east side of the lake. The west side of the lake is still some what secluded. The towns on that side are smaller and not right next to the lake. Paving would mess up the little wilderness experience that there is hiking this section.

The other problem is the heat. This is South Florida hiking is difficult at best during about 8-9 months a year. The dike does not have any trees so it’s already hot. Paving the trail is just going to make it hotter. They are going to pay almost double to have the lighter colored paving, but I am not sure how much that is going to help. The only time I would go up there is time of year is just before dark. If the heat keeping you from using the trail except for dawn and dusk 8-9 month a year this is not going to bring in tourist. Locals might enjoy the paved parts.

Well maybe it will bring needed jobs, but I am apprehensive to exploit the Florida Trail as a way to bring in jobs. They are going to do it in stages according to the article I read. I don’t really have a problem with paving the areas close to the cities, like I said those are not really a wilderness experience any way. I would hate to see them pave the trail all the way around the lake. This would probably chase away the serious backpackers and make the Florida Scenic Trail even more of a road walk.”

“It's an election year. Most voters aren't hikers or backpackers. If the politicians can sell it to them as a boon, they'll go for it.

Contact the Florida Trail Association and see if they are already trying to fight it, and help them if they are. Their website is here.

Trying to get a politician to not spend money is like trying to get a crack addict to stop smoking crack.”

“I can see the ads now "Come walk the Florida National Scenic Sidewalk."”

“that sounds like the worst idea ever, flatlander! boooo.

hey bitpusher...or if you live in DC, like trying to get a politician to stop smoking crack!”

“That's basically what they did when they plopped the Skyline
Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway on top of the Appalachian Trail corridor in VA. That was to promote tourism too.

I can't wait to hear gordon's take on this.”

“My take??

Trails are just narrow roads. Native surface trails have soil erosion and cause sedimentation, not as much as roads but soil impacts exist nonetheless. Paving reduces these problems. Since the trail is adjacent to the lake that may be a contributing factor.

It sounds like flatlander just does not want increased use of the trails by others.”

“"It sounds like flatlander just does not want increased use of the trails by others."
gordon
11:23:29 AM
05/20/02"

The trail is about 50 yards from the lake in most places. It is on top of a man made dike. The existing trail is crushed and packed rock. It was not originally made as a trial. It is mostly grown over with grass and has two ruts from service vehicle using it. Personal vehicles are not allowed on the trail. Erosion is not a concern.

I have no problem with increased usage. Actually I would like to see some increased usage. My main concern was with paving the West side of the lake trail. It runs through some areas that are very beautiful.

I do have a personal play ground that I would not like to see increased usage by others. DuPuis WEA, I can backpack there on weekends and usually never see anyone. That is not the case with the Lake Trail. Actually I don't go up there much. It's too hot, there is no shade. If I go to the lake it's usually with my boat.”

“Yo Flat!

Awww, they're just trying to keep up with the Joneses (South FL) by paving as much as they can.

It seems like they are, indeed, trying to make it more versatile -
bikes, skates, baby buggies, etc.

Flatlander -
What's the latest on the sections of the Glades that they're rehabing? From what I understand, they're removing some canals or something to get a large portion of the wetlands back to their natural state. What's up with that?”

“Flatlander -
What's the latest on the sections of the Glades that they're rehabing? From what I understand, they're removing some canals or something to get a large portion of the wetlands back to their natural state. What's up with that?"
gojo
02:05:46 PM
05/20/02

Actually they are doing quite a few things. Some of it is just in the planning stages. The big projects now are restoring the Kissimee River. It was a slow, wandering river feeding the lake from the north. Many years ago the Army Corp of Engineers dredged it. The increased rapid flow of water brought with it more nutrients. They are restoring the natural flow. On the south side of the lake they are creating water catchment areas. These are places the water can slow down and settle. They also have plant life that removes some of the nutrients from the water. The farming industry has also changed some practices and cleaner water is leaving the Everglades Agricultural Area which is north of the Everglades. Florida is just one big water shed. It starts in North Central Florida and continues to the Keys in the south.
My opinion – too many people are moving into Florida. The strain in the coming years might be more than nature can handle.
Short term there have been improvements. The drought last year was good for the lake. Wading birds have returned and natural vegatation is coming back. Fish stocks should be great in the coming years.”

“I saw lotsa evidence of the new plant growth on the lake last month...

Floridians may soon hafta turn to the sea for water. Costly, but doable. Mebbe they could tow an ice berg down occasionally...”