ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The city of St. Petersburg was recently designated an official Trail Town by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for its significant investments in the Pinellas Trail.

What You Need To Know

The FDEP designated St. Petersburg a Trail Town on Dec. 17

St. Petersburg joins 22 other cities that are recognized as a Trail Town

The FDEP has a program which will promote the Pinellas Trail to boost eco-tourism and help the city pursue grants 

St. Pete earned the designation for the portion of the Pinellas Trail which runs through four Arts Districts from 31st Street South to the downtown waterfront

“We’ve made those investments in our community,” said Cheryl Stacks, Transportation Manager. “We really see it as an opportunity to kind of improve the quality of life, improve the economy for our residents.”

Stacks presented the city council with the designation last week for the portion of the Pinellas Trail which runs through four Arts Districts from 31st Street South to the downtown waterfront. St. Petersburg joins 22 other cities that are recognized as a Trail Town.

“I think it’s a big deal for the city. I think it’s kind of a long time coming,” she said. “So it’s great to be able to have this recognition.”

St. Petersburg received the designation for having emergency markers, trail courtesy reminders, access to restaurants, retail, bike racks and public restrooms. Andrea Osorio, owner of Carupano Kitchen in the Foodie Labs, said she welcomes riders to use their facilities.

“These are people that have been riding for minutes, hours and then they stop by,” she said. “They get a bite to eat, they use our bathrooms, they get something to drink and just rest for a little bit with the AC.”

Part of the trail winds through council member Corey Givens Jr.’s district, who said riders enjoy the murals and help boost the local economy.

“You can really support small businesses. The trail, it’s along the Warehouse Arts District,” he said. “So you have minority-owned businesses there, women-owned businesses there that can really utilize that support. And people don’t have to drive to get there.”

Stefan Koch said he traveled from Michigan to ride his bicycle on the Pinellas Trail.

“I’ve spent the last two days riding on this trail,” he said. “I just rode down to the end at the St. Pete harbor there and now I’m on my way back to Clearwater. I think it’s a lovely trail.” 

Koch said he supports the organization Rails to Trails Conservancy, which is how he learned about the Pinellas Trail, and believes the FDEP designation is well-deserved.

“The trail has a lot of great infrastructure and is well-maintained,” he said. “So I congratulate St. Pete for being a Trail Town.”

Due to the recognition, the FDEP has a program that will promote the trail to boost eco-tourism and help the city pursue grants. Stacks said St. Pete is currently working on a permitting process which would allow businesses east of 34th Street to develop private access points along the Pinellas Trail.