A video summary of this project is here.
Woodpecker Extension (Short Version)
● The Original Trail: So, back in 2004, they finished the first part of the WoodpeckerTrail. It's a 3.4-mile paved path, 10 feet wide, with some cool Trex boardwalks over wet spots. It goes from the Little Shoals entrance to Big Shoals State Park,and walkers and cyclists love it.
● The Big Dream (2005): A year later, everyone agreed that extending this trail was a super important idea. The big vision was to connect Big Shoals Public Lands (BSPL) to Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and the town of White Springs.
● Extension Options (Then & Now):
- 1. Option 1 (Not Recommended): Follow State Road 135 and some local roads in White Springs. This option has a host of issues with placement vis-a-vis road drainage and land ownership and costs.
- Option 2 (The Favored One): Go west from Little Shoals, then south through the Barnett Tract, cross US 41, and then use existing sidewalks to Stephen Foster.
- Option 3 (The Robust Alternative): Rather than using the sidewalk all the way to Stephen Foster, hike a section of the unpaved Florida Trail, and then continue on to Stephen Foster
- Option 4 (Not Recommended at this time): In lieu of the sidewalk or FT, build a boardwalk over wetlands, and a stairwell up a steep hill. Upside?The beauty of Wetlands! Downside? Cost!
● Still an Objective, 20 Years Later: Fast forward to today, and the extension is still just an "objective" in the Big Shoals Unit Management Plan. No money for design or building yet!
● Who Owns What Now? The Barnett Tract is now owned by White Springs, along with Wesson Street's right-of-way.
● The Route Details:
- The total distance is about 1.5 miles.
- Part 1 (1.5 miles): Starts at Little Shoals and goes southwest through BSPL to White Springs' land. It will need a bridge over a stream, but otherwise should be a pretty straightforward paved path.
- Part 2 (1.2 miles): The sidewalks along US 41 are already in place, so the only cost will be to paint a crosswalk at Sunrise Drive where the path crosses US 41.