on May 19, 2017

The Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail The trail runs along an historic railroad track that was built in the early 1900’s and was used until the early 2000’s. Now paved, the trail runs about 10.8 miles and is one of the best biking/walking trails in the area. You can pick up the trail at the Historic RR station in Venice or in Oscar Scherer Park and on McIntosh Rd. on the way to the mall (backroads: take McIntosh off Clark Rd., you’ll see the old RR track near McIntosh). There are other areas to pick up the trail but the parking is convenient at these areas. There is one steep section along the trail, which goes above/across US 41 in Venice. One of my favorite areas along the trail is at Oscar Scherer State Park. You may enter the park from the trail. There is an admission box for entry which is on an honor system, you may contribute to the parks admission there. It’s a great place to a picnic, so bring your lunch. There is a small concession area with snack and drinks nearby the trail. Like Myakka, Oscar Scherer is a beautiful State Park, which offers a variety of opportunities to take a nature walk, run, bike, and birding opportunities throughout the beautiful trails. Make sure you take your camera along there is always something interesting! There is also camping, canoeing and kayaking along the Creek, and fishing and swimming in Lake Osprey, but if you have kids with you… I’d skip the swimming, gators do frequent the area, but the lake offers a nice beach area to play and a children’s park nearby.

Oscar Scherer State Park

Trail Parking

Patriots Park (800 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice)
Nokomis Community Park (234 Nippino Trail E, Nokomis)
Laurel Park (509 Collins Rd. Laurel)
Oscar Scherer State Park (1843 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey)
Bay Street Park (300 Bay St. Osprey)

more info about the Legacy Trail:

http://www.sarasotalegacytrail.com/

While in Venice if you get ambitious there is another trail called The Venetian Waterway Park Trail it follows both sides of the Intracoastal waterway, from about the Venice Airport area to Venice Avenue. It runs about 8 miles, through Venice.

http://www.venicegov.com/Park_links/venetian_waterway.asp

some Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus facts:

http://www.trainweb.org/carl/CircusTrains/CircusTrainFacts.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringling_Bros._and_Barnum_%26_Bailey_Circus

Oscar Scherer

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park-activities/Oscar-Scherer

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