River of Grass Greenway
Now here’s an idea … a multi-use path paralleling the Tamiami Trail from Naples to Miami. Seem incredible? Not to a new coalition calling themselves the River of Grass Greenway, advocating for the construction of such a path, presumably as part of the overall plan to raise the Tamiami Trail up and create an ecopassage much like the one along US 441 over Paynes Prairie, where water and creatures can pass freely beneath the highway. Granted, it would not be a very shady 90 miles or so, but would certainly open up Big Cypress National Preserve to more non-motorized public use, since campgrounds are already in place along the route. And what better way to see this splendid habitat than at human-powered speeds? Check out their website to find out more.
March 18th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Great idea - assuming you don’t get eaten by the zillion huge alligators that live in the burrow pit canal alongside the Tamiami Trail. They might find that a nice asphalt path is a great place to soak up sun on a chilly day. About 5 years ago, on a cool day, we drove west along Alligator Alley, and counted 114 gators, just on the north bank. I think Tamiami Trail has MORE gators.
Will all bikers and hikers be equipped with a long pole to chase the alligators off the ROGG?