Skyway Trail Reveals New Scenic Path

The spectacular fall weather in the ‘Burg once again beckons people to open their windows and get outside to enjoy the sunshine. For those who like staying active, St. Pete has an extra special surprise for you. This holiday season, the finishing touches will be put on what is arguably the most beautiful part of the Pinellas Trail system to date.

This new section, called "The Skyway Trail," connects with the main Pinellas Trail around 43rd Street and heads south alongside Thurgood Marshall Middle School and behind Twin Brooks golf course. As it curves along, the trail suddenly opens up into Clam Bayou, part of a national estuary project that preserves one of the few remaining natural areas left in the county. The habitat here is full of wildlife from herons and ospreys, to turtles and manatees. It is so seemingly untouched that it will have you second guessing whether or not you have been mysteriously transported outside of St. Pete altogether.  

At one section, the trail takes a wide sweeping bend around a large Seminole Indian Burial mound that could have been made before Europeans ever set foot here. From there, the trail continues down 37th Street South where it finally splits, giving you the option to either continue to the Skyway bridge or head out towards Fort Desoto and St. Pete Beach. 

 

Although there are still a few sections of the Skyway Trail in the last stages of completion, people who have discovered it are already singing its praises. I came across Peggy, an avid cyclist and St. Pete resident taking a break by one of the more visually stunning areas of the new trail. She had nothing but good things to say. "I think it is one of the most beautiful sections of the trail. You travel through this awesome natural setting. It’s really a very pleasant ride. I think it’s great that our taxpayer dollars were put to such good use with an eye towards the future of bicycling in St. Pete."

 

The creation of the Pinellas Trail was originally prompted by a tragic bicycle accident involving a child nearly 3 decades ago. Because of this, providing a safe place for cyclists and pedestrians has always been a primary focus. In 2008 a three-mile section linking the trail with downtown St. Pete was added along 1st Avenue South. A few years later in 2010, a large overpass on 34th Street  was built to provide a safe crossing over that busy road. Blinking cross walks have recently been placed at many intersections on the trail, and the surface is always well maintained and looked after. All of these efforts have led to multiple accolades being bestowed upon this local treasure including a recent induction into the national "Rail to Trail" hall of fame. 

 

Take a chance this holiday season between all the feasts and sweets to do something good for your health and waistline. Get out and explore this amazing new trail with your friends and family. It is truly a local gem.

Here’s a link to the map of the St. Petersburg Bike Trail to help you plan your day of cycling.

Report contributed by Rudi Peseckas, freelance journalist, bicycle kamikaze, and all around friendly guy. An ESOL teacher by day, on the weekends he can be found standing on any number of downtown street corners parking cars. While lately his life consists of all work, he is doing his best to not become a dull boy. 

 

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