Alternative Text Description for Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network across Florida, showing the existing, planned, and conceptual paved multiuse trails for bicyclists and pedestrians. The network represents high priority linear corridors and connections of statewide and regional significance that are physically separated from vehicular traffic. The trails are categorized by their implementation status, ranging from existing facilities to unfunded gaps in the planned network.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire state of Florida, from the panhandle region in the northwest extending south through the peninsula to the Florida Keys. Major cities labeled on the map include Tallahassee in the north-central area, Jacksonville in the northeast, Gainesville in north-central Florida, Orlando in central Florida, Tampa and St. Petersburg on the west coast, Palm Coast on the east coast, Lakeland in central Florida, Cape Coral on the southwest coast, Port St. Lucie on the southeast coast, and Miami in the far southeast. The map extends into portions of neighboring states including southern Georgia and Alabama. The eastern boundary is the Atlantic Ocean, and the western and southern boundaries include the Gulf of America and the Straits of Florida.

KEY INSIGHTS

The SUN Trail Network shows extensive coverage across Florida with significant variation in implementation status across different regions. The most extensive network of existing trails appears in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area and around major urban centers. Large portions of the network, particularly in the Florida Panhandle and along major cross-state corridors, are designated as unfunded gaps, indicating planned routes that have not yet secured funding. Several partially funded pre-construction segments appear throughout the state, suggesting active development in multiple regions. The network demonstrates connectivity between major population centers, with trail corridors linking the panhandle to northern Florida, continuing through central Florida, and extending to southern regions including connections to coastal communities.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network

The map displays linear trail corridors throughout Florida, color-coded according to their development and funding status.

Existing Trails (teal/cyan lines)

Appearance: Teal or cyan colored linear features representing completed trail segments.

Distribution: Existing trails are distributed throughout the state with notable concentrations around the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area, in the Orlando region, around Cape Coral in southwest Florida, and scattered segments in northeast Florida near Jacksonville. Additional existing segments appear in the panhandle region and in south Florida including the Miami area and extending into the Keys.

Notable locations: The Tampa Bay area shows the highest density of existing trails. Significant existing trail segments also appear around Orlando, in southwest Florida near Cape Coral and Fort Myers, and extending along the southern tip of the peninsula through the Keys.

Spatial patterns: Existing trails tend to cluster around major metropolitan areas and follow both coastal and inland corridors. Some segments connect multiple cities, while others appear as standalone facilities within urban areas.

Partially Funded for Pre-Construction Trails (purple lines)

Appearance: Purple or violet colored linear features representing trail segments that have partial funding but have not yet begun construction.

Distribution: Partially funded segments appear scattered throughout the state, with concentrations in central Florida near Orlando and Tampa, in southwest Florida, and along portions of the Atlantic coast.

Notable locations: Multiple partially funded segments appear in the central Florida corridor between Tampa and Orlando, around Cape Coral, and in northeast Florida near Jacksonville.

Spatial patterns: These segments often appear to fill gaps between existing trail sections or extend existing networks outward from urban centers, suggesting strategic expansion of the connected system.

Programmed/Funded Trails (orange lines)

Appearance: Orange colored linear features representing trail segments that are programmed or fully funded for development.

Distribution: Programmed or funded trails appear less frequently than other categories but are distributed across the state, with segments visible in northeast Florida near Jacksonville, in the Orlando area, near Tampa, and in south Florida including Miami and the Keys.

Notable locations: Notable programmed segments appear along the east coast near Jacksonville and Palm Coast, in the Orlando metropolitan area, and extending into the Florida Keys.

Spatial patterns: These segments often connect to existing or partially funded sections, suggesting sequential development of continuous trail corridors.

Unfunded Gap Trails (red lines)

Appearance: Red colored linear features representing planned trail corridors that have not yet secured funding.

Distribution: Unfunded gaps represent the largest portion of the network by length and are distributed throughout the entire state. Extensive unfunded segments appear throughout the Florida Panhandle, across northern Florida, through central regions, and along both coasts extending to south Florida.

Notable locations: The Florida Panhandle shows extensive unfunded trail corridors. Major unfunded gaps also appear along cross-state routes connecting the panhandle to Jacksonville, routes through central Florida, and connections between major population centers throughout the peninsula.

Spatial patterns: Unfunded gaps often represent long-distance connections between regions and communities, filling in the network between areas with existing or funded trails. These segments suggest the planned comprehensive statewide connectivity of the SUN Trail system.

Overlapping Patterns

The four status categories combine to show a comprehensive planned network where existing trails serve as anchor segments, programmed and partially funded trails represent near-term expansions, and unfunded gaps indicate long-term vision corridors. The pattern reveals a strategy of connecting major metropolitan areas and extending trails to serve both urban and rural communities across the state.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a synthesis of trail planning efforts from municipalities, counties, transportation planning organizations, and other public agencies throughout Florida. The network focuses on high priority linear corridors of statewide and regional significance rather than showing all existing or proposed trails in the state. The SUN Trail system emphasizes paved multiuse trails physically separated from vehicular traffic, typically 12 feet wide but ranging from 8 to 14 or more feet depending on constraints and usage. The map provides a snapshot of the development status of Florida's vision for a comprehensive connected statewide trail system serving bicyclists and pedestrians.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source: The Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Network data is derived from the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS) Priority Land Trails Network, overseen by the Office of Greenways and Trails, with modifications to focus on corridors envisioned as paved trails. The data represents a synthesis of trail planning efforts by municipalities, counties, transportation planning organizations, other public agencies, and non-profit entities throughout Florida. Data source layer name: SUNTRAILNETWORK_JAN26.

Definition Query: No definition query or filter criteria was provided for this map view.

Scale Information: The map shows a statewide view appropriate for understanding the overall network connectivity and regional distribution of trail development status across Florida. This scale is suitable for strategic planning and understanding the comprehensive network rather than detailed local trail routing.

Coordinate System: NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content: The data is dated January 26, as indicated in the data source layer name. The specific year is not provided in the available information.

Limitations: This dataset does not include all existing, proposed, and conceptual trails in Florida, but focuses specifically on high priority linear corridors and connections of statewide and regional significance that form a comprehensive connected system. The data represents paved multiuse trails and excludes other types of trails that do not meet the SUN Trail criteria.

Map Coverage: The map covers the entire state of Florida from the panhandle in the northwest through the peninsula to the southern Keys, with portions of southern Georgia and Alabama visible for geographic context. The map extends to show Florida's boundaries with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of America to the west and south.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.