Trail Safety in Venice

An increasing number of bikers, walkers and rollerbladers is being attracted to the highly successful Venetian Waterway Park. Data this spring suggest that upwards of 5000 people a month use this linear park at the peak season. As the trail is completed on both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway, this number is expected to increase significantly by next year.

On the Island of Venice, the trail makes a natural loop. One long stretch runs north-south along the island side of the Intracoastal. A parallel path runs south-north along the Gulf side of the island, with the connecting east-west parts at Casperson Beach and in downtown Venice.

Unfortunately, along with greater popularity, a major safety problem is developing on this loop around the island. Currently for about one mile of the loop, on the west side from Casperson north to inside the city,  walker/bikers are brought onto heavily traveled South Harbor Drive. This narrow road is the only access to Casperson Beach and the Venice city beaches by the Venice pier and Sharky’s restaurant. On the southern part of this road there is no identified bike lane, nor sidewalk. Sand frequently drifts over the road reducing further the car/bike space.

Besides the natural problems of mixing car and walk/bike traffic on a narrow road, the car traffic is increasing also because of the expansion of the park and pavilion facilities at Casperson Beach. It is only a matter of time before a walker/biker is seriously injured on this stretch of Sarasota County maintained road.

The solution to this growing safety problem is clear. North and south trail paths, clearly separated from the road, are needed on each side of South Harbor Drive. As the road narrows toward Casperson Beach, the trails must be joined on the east side of the road.( Across from the dunes ) This new trail should be a raised platform above the vegetation, and should connect by a short bridge to a new concrete path to the picnic pavilion area at Casperson. The length of the raised platform and bridge is no more than 2000 ft. The connection from the Casperson Pavilion area to the Intracoastal Waterway is already in place.

Construction of a safe trail on South harbor Dr. will require coordination between Sarasota County and the city of Venice. We estimate that it will take approximately $ 1 Million to design and construct this 1 mile of improvements. When done, it will make the VWP loop around Venice island safe and attractive.

Earl Quandt, VNC

July 19, 2005