Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2350 Recreational Path Extension
Requester:	Monte E. Blews		Organization:		Santa Rosa Island Authority
Project Title:	Recreational Path Extension		Date Submitted:		01/31/2000 5:58:56 PM
District Member:	Charles Clary		Service Area:		County
Counties Affected:	Escambia
Recipient:	Santa Rosa Island Authority		Contact:		Monte E. Blews
	1 Via de Luna, P O Box 1208		Contact Phone:		(850) 932-2257
	Pensacola Beach 32562-1208
Project Description:
Extension of the Pensacola Beach Recreational Trail to the Gulf Islands National Seashore at the eastern terminus of the Escambia County property on Santa Rosa Island. This recreational trail is an eight foot wide trail located approximately eight or ten feet north of the stabilized edge of county road 399. The extension will link with and continue Pensacola Beach's existing recreational trail system, which is approximately nine and one-half to ten miles in length. The gulf Islands National Seashore has indicated they are willing to construct a smiliar recreational trail on their property, which will link with this section of our recreational trail.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
Recreational trail activities are a growing segment of the tourism industry throughout the nation. Tourists often seek their destinations based on the availability of such trails on which to walk, run, or cycle. Pensacola Beach has an existing recreational trail system that links with the City of Gulf Breeze across the Bob Sikes Bridge to the north, extending to the western boundary of Pensacola Beach, which adjoins the Ft. pickens area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The proposed extension will extend the trail along the right of way through the State of Florida land at Pensacola Beach, and will link it with the federal property to the east and west of Pensacola Beach. This project will significantly enhance the desirability of Pensacola Beach as a recreation/tourism destination.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Incresed eco-tourism. Decreased incedets of pedestrian/bicycle - motor vehicle interaction.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$200,000
Total cost of the project:		$200,000

Request has been made to fund:			Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?				Unknown
Was this project previously funded by the State?				No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?				Unknown
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?				Unknown
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?				Unknown
Is there a documented need for this project?				Yes
	Documentation:	Copies of resolutions from other govt. entities and letters of support from affected entities
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?				Yes
	Hearing Body:	Santa Rosa Island Authority, Escambia County Commission
	Meeting Date:	12/01/1999