City's latest transportation link opens Tuesday

A short but critical link in the city’s alternative-transportation network ceremonially opens on Tuesday morning with a ribbon-cutting near the southwest corner of Payne Park.

The quarter-mile Alderman Multi-Use Trail, envisioned in 2023, connects a spur of the Legacy Trail to School Avenue, Bowman Court and South Payne Parkway across the southern edge of Payne Park.

Image courtesy of city of Sarasota

Funded by a $400,000 federal grant, the trail adds another option for cyclists and pedestrians to “safely connect to neighborhoods and downtown where bike lanes and multi-use paths exist,’’ the city said.

The trail includes a rest area with a shade shelter, drinking fountain, benches and tables, and a bike repair station as well as landscaping.  

Florida Department of Transportation is planning an adjacent project on U.S. 301 from its branch with U.S. 41 to south of 10th Street, which will include a midblock crossing signal at South Payne Parkway as part of an overall repaving project. That work is expected to begin over the summer.

Tuesday’s 3:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony is at the Bowman Court and South Payne Parkway trailhead (just south of First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota). A guided bike ride, "Cycle Celebration," will take place following the ceremony from 4-5 p.m.

The 8-mile round-trip ride (with an optional 5-mile early return) will include three stops and briefings along the way on infrastructure projects from city and county planners.

Sign up for the ride on Eventbrite.