Gulfport volunteers and residents joined Mayor Karen Love on the new Discover Gulfport Walking Trail for the Mayor’s inaugural Community Walk Nov. 15.
Photo by Trei Johnson
Lace up those walking sneakers and get those steps in on the Discover Gulfport Walking Trail.
The City of Gulfport launched a new walking trail during the Mayor’s inaugural Community Walk on Nov. 15.
Around 100 residents gathered at the Catherine Hickman Theater for a guided walk led by Mayor Karen Love. The walk highlighted four connected loops that guide residents through parks, neighborhoods, and historic sites.
Discover Gulfport Walking Trail
Ward IV Council member Nancy Earley (right) walked with community members in the streets of Gulfport while learning its history and discovering hidden gems.
Photo by Trei Johnson
The interconnected series of four loops, pedestrian paths and crosswalks wind through residential neighborhoods, parks, and historic sites. Discover Gulfport Walking Trail was designed to offer people an immersive and safe way to see everything Gulfport has to offer.
First Discovery Loop
The 1.3-mile First Discovery Loop highlights Clymer Park and the Art Walk & Food Forest. It also features the Hickman Theater, the Gulfport Public Library, and the Gulfport History Museum. These stops introduce walkers to Gulfport’s cultural and historic identity.
Extended Discovery Path
The 3.3-mile Discovery Path expands on the first loop and includes several major parks. Walkers pass Wood Ibis Park, Tomlinson Park, and the Tangerine Greenway. The route also reaches Veterans Park and the Gulfport Pier for waterfront views.
(L-R) Greg Bowling, Justin Shea, Brad Bruner, and Scott Linde on the Discover Gulfport Walking Trail.
Photo by Trei JohnsonA Shared Vision
The idea for the trail grew from the vision of Senior Advisory Committee member Brad Bruner and Cultural Facilities Events Supervisor Justin Shea.
Bruner said he lived in Gulfport a full year before discovering its natural wonders.
“People…tend to find their paths and stick with them, if they don’t know what’s out there,” Bruner added. “Gulfport has an uncommonly big proportion of sidewalks for a city, and I realized that we could put that together.”
He presented the idea during his first Senior Advisory Committee meeting. Along with committee members, Shea and other City employees helped guide its development.
The team collaborated with Public Works Director Tom Nicholls to prepare the route. Nicholls’ crew trimmed trees, checked crosswalks, and removed hazards. Their work protected walkers, cyclists, scooter users, and wheelchair users throughout the trail.
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Bruner also said Greg Bowling inspired the project. Bowling joined the walk on his scooter to support his friend.
“Greg lives about a mile from me. We wanted to have paths that someone of all accessibility issues, or abilities could really use,” Bruner said. “Using sidewalks and thinking about where the crosswalks are, selecting places where there aren’t huge divots or other things was important to the whole process.”
Bowling said the trail offered more than health benefits.
“I feel great,” Bowling said. “Smiling, getting some sun, being with friends, being part of the community. I think it’s community building.”
Bruner explained that research shows outdoor activity boosts mood through natural endorphins. He described this effect clearly: “You feel lighter, you feel more energetic, you’re communing with the world.”
Jim Wright and his son, James Jr., provided an extra layer of safety for participants during the 1.3 mile walk.
Photo by Trei JohnsonA Trail for Wellness, Discovery, and Inclusion
Shea emphasized the trail’s role in addressing a deeper need: fostering wellness in a fast-paced world.
“You have the ability to come out into the community to explore, to take a safe path,” Shea said.
He highlighted how it invites both locals and visitors to experience Gulfport’s vibrant culture, from bungalows and the historic museum to Scout Hall and public amenities like restrooms and the library.
(L-R) Caron Schwartz, who volunteered as a crossing guard for the walk, poses with one of the Gulfport Trail spearheads Brad Bruner and participant Lily Lustig.
Photo by Trei Johnson
Digitally shareable, the trail serves as a “talking point” for uncovering the city’s offerings, positioning Gulfport as the “Gateway to the Gulf.”
Future expansions aim to link to the Pinellas Trail and St. Petersburg’s systems via connectors like Osgood Point and the Gulfport Spur, bridging gaps for seamless regional adventures.
Gulfport Lion’s Club members took the opportunity to walk, volunteer, and recruit new members.
Photo by Trei Johnson
The Discover Gulfport Walking Trail supports physical health, emotional balance, and community connection. It invites residents to explore Gulfport’s culture, nature, and neighborhoods at their own pace.
Discover more about the Gulfport Walking Trail at mygulfport.us.
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