Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: June 23, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: Venerria L. Thomas, Director
FROM: Kyle Kent, Interim Manager
CONTACT: Kyle Kent, Interim Manager
PHONE: (407) 836-6209
DIVISION: Parks and Recreation Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval and execution of Resolution 2025-M-22 of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners regarding Supporting the Lake to Lake Regional Multi-Use Trail; and providing an effective date. (Parks and Recreation Division)
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PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE: The Parks and Recreation Division has reviewed the concept plan for the Lake to Lake Regional Multi-Use Trail, a proposed 150-mile non-motorized, eco-tourism trail through the eastern reaches of the Florida Wildlife Corridor between Lake Okeechobee and Lake Monroe - traversing Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Okeechobee Counties. This concept will provide recreational opportunities for bicyclists, bird watchers, campers, long distance runners, and other lovers of Florida’s abundant natural habitat, exposing Florida residents and visitors to the history of early 19th and 20th century settlement and the use of the land for farming, logging, cattle ranching and wildlife conservation.
The proposed Resolution details the background and purpose of the proposed Lake to Lake Regional Trail and encourages a formal request to the Office of Greenways and Trails in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to add this corridor and its linkages to the Statewide Opportunity Land Trail Map. Further, it encourages the Office of Greenways and Trails to rank this corridor as a State Trail Priority during the next ranking cycle which would allow the potential Lake to Lake Regional Trail project to be eligible for state Shared-Use Non-Motorized Trail funding. Lastly, the resolution endorses collaborative efforts between Florida Department of Transportation, counties along the trail corridor, non-profit organizations and private entities to develop plans to support the long-term operation and management of the corridor. Seminole and Osceola Counties have recently approved similar resolutions of support.
BUDGET: N/A