Page 65 - LIN March-2023 50-84-sent

A
S
U
SCAN TO BUY
N T
Y
O B
C
TICKETS
TICK E T S
ONL
ONLINE you can
INE
help! Fast Track the PC T
Y our Regional O per a Company
Your Regional Opera Company
by Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive Director,
Naples Pathways Coalition

cross the country and throughout
Florida, places like Venice, Dunedin,
Numerous studies show the importance of developing long-distance
AWinter Garden, Jacksonville, and multi-use pathways like the Paradise Coast Trail. A North Carolina
BEL CANTO Inverness enjoy extensive, connected multi- DOT study found that the annual economic impact of bicyclists
TO BERNSTEIN modal pathways, but surprisingly, Naples does was nine times the initial one-time public expenditure to build such
not. Although we are repeatedly cited among
facilities. Prospective homebuyers state that trails are one of the most
the top for year-over-year growth and as one of desired community amenities. In short, trails pay for themselves. And
the happiest places the longer a path is, the farther people
to live, it is odd that we have so few
SONGS
will travel to visit it and the more
Ireland miles of biking and walking trails. money they will spend.
of
Walking, jogging, and bicycling
Trails provide healthy, no-cost
are rated as Florida residents'
recreation and active transportation. A
March 12 4pm 4pm most desired outdoor recreation few interesting statistics:
| |

M
ch
12
a
r

th
th

activities. And as stories on red tide
h 15
c
r
a
M
th
• 43% of Americans say they
t $45
k
e
t
c
Tickets Starting at $45 March 15 t h | | 7pm7pm and water quality issues regularly would be more likely to ride a bicycle
T
i
t
i
ng a
r
s S
t
a
St. Leo Parish Life Center
Concert at Vanderbilt Presbyterian S t . L e o P a r is h L i f e C e nt e r make the local news, expanding our if motor vehicles and bicycles were
i
l
r
b
t Pr
y
t
es
b
e
nc
e
C
o
r
a
nd
t a
t V
e
n
r
i
a
Bonita Springs | Tickets $45
D i nne r a t T h e C l u b a t t h e S t r a nd B o nit a S p r i ng s | T i c k e t s $45 outdoor amenities would be a wise physically separated (People for Bikes).
Dinner at The Club at the Strand
investment. The Centers for Disease
• 46% of Americans say they would
Control also advises that providing
bike to work if designated trails were
access to trails is a vital community available (Bikes Belong Coalition).
health strategy to combat rising • In a 2014 Pinellas Trail survey,
obesity levels.
31% of users surveyed in Downtown
Lee County is making significant Clearwater were using the trail for
strides in providing its residents and commuting to work, which positively
visitors with places to walk, run, and impacted traffic. (Forward Pinellas).
bike away from the dangers of the
With the benefits, economics, and
roadway. You've probably heard about overwhelming community desire for
w i t h the push the Friends of the Bonita
with
armo
c
les Philh
ni
N
ap
Naples Philharmonic Estero Rail Trail, Lee County, and trails, it is evident: Collier County
needs the Paradise Coast Trail. So,
the municipalities are making to how does it get built?
April 30 7pm 7pm develop 14 miles of under-utilized The 70-mile system will be broken
| |

l
i
Ap
r
30

th
th
rail line for a new trail. This is very
into approximately ten segments.
Ar
Artis—Naples exciting, but it makes me question why Collier County isn't Many are tied to transportation projects, which often take years to
t
les
p
a
is—N
N
Naples fervently pursuing trail construction too. complete. (We were just informed that the next step, the Project
p
les
a
In 2018, Naples Pathways Coalition developed the vision for
Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the northern
Ti c k e t s the Paradise Coast Trail - a new 70-mile separated, paved trail portion along Livingston Road toward Bonita Springs, is programmed
Tickets
S ta r t i n g connecting Naples to Bonita Springs, Collier Seminole State in FDOT’s Tentative Work Program for 2024, two years earlier than
Starting
Park, Ave Maria, and other areas within and beyond Collier
expected!)
at $49 County. It will expand transportation options, improve health and we need the entire community to contact our elected officials and let
a
t $49
We are doing everything in our power to cut completion time. Still,
wellness, reduce our carbon footprint, and provide a destination
nso
o
les
y L
Sp
ife In N
ap
red b
Sponsored by Life In Naples to experience the Paradise Coast's unique beauty. The Paradise them know we want the Paradise Coast Trail built now!
Coast Trail will drive quality of life and healthier lifestyles, yield
We look forward to state and federal funding coming to Collier County
economic benefits to the county, increase property values, and in the coming years. Collier residents and visitors must frequently ask our
enable enhanced safety for walkers, runners, and recreational and County Commissioners to diligently promote the construction of the Paradise
commuter bicyclists. Coast Trail and support its funding. For their contact information,
The economics of trails are well-documented. Three Central
visit https://bit.ly/CollierBCC.
Florida trails are estimated to have a regional economic impact of To further our efforts to fast-track the Paradise Coast Trail, we are
U
T
E
ONL
INE
Y
BUY TICKETS ONLINE $42.6 million annually. Greenways, sidewalks, and bicycle facility fundraising and looking for champions who also see the importance of this
B
S
TICK
construction create 17 jobs for every $1 million spent, which has a
GULFSHOREOPERA
trail. For more information and to partner with us, please visit
9
5
2
3
9
2
.
5
3
2
9
.
.ORG
WWW.GULFSHOREOPERA.ORG | | 239.529.3925 more substantial employment impact than any other transportation www.NaplesPathways.org or contact Michelle@NaplesPathways.org.
WWW.
facility.
Life in Naples | March 2023 65