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Rio Vista Trail could link Weedon Island
By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- A short-hop recreation trail in the city's Riviera Bay neighborhood could be in place by the end of the year as a link between Weedon Island and First Street N. The Rio Vista Trail, connecting 78th Avenue N and 83rd Avenue/Patica Road, ideally would make life more comfortable for cyclists and pedestrians. They can make the connection now by negotiating an informal path that includes a small bridge across Turner's Creek. But plans call for an asphalt trail through Rio Vista Park, running parallel to Macoma Drive on its north-south leg. A $160,000 transportation grant from federal air-quality improvement funds would pay for the link. The county's Metropolitan Planning Organization will decide whether the city gets the grant, possibly at its next meeting May 14 at the county courthouse in Clearwater. The trail would provide a more direct and convenient alternative for northern St. Petersburg foot-and-pedal traffic bound to and from Weedon Island and its nature preserve, whose entrance is about a mile from where the trail would connect with 83rd/Patica. The plan doesn't immediately call for improving the narrow footbridge, said Michael Frederick, the city's neighborhood transportation manager. "I know it's not the best for bikes, but we didn't include funding for it as at this time. When it's repaired or replaced, it will be brought up to standards," Frederick said. The Rio Vista Trail, which will be about a half-mile long, would represent a small link in the county's long-range vision of a 78.25-mile trail on which users could circle the county. That doesn't include a number of smaller "spur" loops planned to branch toward spots such as Fort De Soto. The Pinellas Trail, a 34-mile stretch serving the county's west side from Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg to U.S. Highway 19 east of Tarpon Springs, is the showcase. It accommodates 90,000 users per month, said county planning director Brian Smith, two-thirds for reasons other than purely recreational -- such as errands, shopping or social trips that involve a specific destination. As such, the trail is considered a genuine transportation asset in addition to being a recreational amenity. Last week, county commissioners moved toward developing an east county section when they voted to lease land from Progress Energy for a 22-mile trail. Most of it stretches through the utility's power line right-of-way. To be known as the Progress Energy Trail, it would begin near John Chestnut Park and stretch to Weedon Island. It would cross Gandy Boulevard at a busy spot -- approximately where it intersects with Fourth Street and near Roosevelt Boulevard. Traffic signals there will aid users. The trail would continue south of Derby Lane toward San Martin Boulevard and Weedon Island. That's where it becomes relevant to St. Petersburg users, who presumably could use First Street N -- also ticketed for future non-motor traffic improvements -- catch the Rio Vista Trail and hook into Weedon Island for points north. An option would be to catch the Friendship Trail across the old Gandy Bridge to Tampa. It's all several years in the future, but Smith said the MPO has put some priority on St. Petersburg and south county trail work. Frederick said the county priorities work well with the city's bicycle/pedestrian master plan, which is being developed with much public input. A public open house about the city plan is 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. May 14 at the Bayfront Center. Still to be resolved is how the end of the Pinellas Trail at Gibbs will link to Weedon and the Progress Energy and Friendship Trails. Planners have given the question thought. First Street N, for example, is designated as North Bay Trail on county maps. It's not clear how trail-like First Street could become. Eventually possible may be wider sidewalks, and possibly barriers of some kind to separate bike and pedestrian lanes from motor traffic, Frederick said.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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