Ringling Trail wins top project award

As the first protected bicycle lane project in the SarasotaManatee region, Ringling Trail has been recognized by the American Public Works Association Florida Chapter as project of the year in the $2 million to $5 million category.

The award was given during the recent AWPA annual conference in Jacksonville.

The Ringling Trail Complete Street project transformed a one-mile stretch of Ringling Boulevard from a four-lane road into a complete street with a dedicated bicycle lane and expanded multimodal and connectivity opportunities between the Legacy Trail, downtown and the bayfront. It opened in December 2022.

Ringling Trail runs between Lime and Pineapple avenues and features protected bike lanes, parallel parking spaces, elevated transit stops and other enhancements.

Criteria considered by the AWPA judges include community need, commitment to sustainability, accomplishments under adverse conditions, economic challenges and creative use of resources. Cost-saving and sustainability measures included conducting construction engineering and inspection services in-house and reallocating concrete parking wheel stops as bike lane dividers. Ringling Boulevard between U.S. 41 and Lime Avenue was identified as a potential complete street in 2019. The $2.7 million Ringling Trail complete street project was funded through the Sarasota County penny sales tax, economic development funds, multimodal impact fees and Federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

The two environmental nonprofits have collaborated since late 2020 when Sarasota County conveyed the 33-acre property adjacent to the Celery Fields as a conservation easement. Together they are raising funds to improve the property.

The Quad Parcels, located at the intersection of Palmer Boulevard and Apex Road, buffer the western edge of the 440-acre Celery Fields from industrial areas. With more than 250 species, Celery Fields is a nationally and internationally recognized birding destination and vital to water quality and flood protection in the region.

The rewilding will increase habitat for birds and other wildlife while expanding water storage and filtration.

Planned improvements include plantings, meadows, woodland areas, trails, shaded picnic areas, ADA-compliant walkways, a bird observation platform, discovery area for children and more.