John Yarbrough Linear Park
| John Yarbrough Linear Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Length | 6 mi (10 km) |
| Location | Fort Myers, Florida, United States |
| Trailheads |
Six Mile Cypress Parkway Colonial Boulevard |
| Use | Cycling, Walking, Hiking, Jogging |
| Hiking details | |
| Season | Year round |
| Surface | Ashpalt |
| Website | John Yarbrough Linear Park |
The John Yarbrough Linear Park (originally the Ten Mile Canal Linear Park) is a 6-mile linear park trail located in Fort Myers, Florida. The trail is owned and operated by Lee County Parks and Recreation. It is part of Lee County's Tour de Parks route along with Lakes Regional Park and other locations.[1]
History
The first phase of the trail opened in 2005 between Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Daniels Parkway. The second phase opened in 2006, extending the trail north to Crystal Drive. The third phase, completed in 2008, extended it to Colonial Boulevard.
When the trail first opened in 2005, it was known as the Ten Mile Canal Linear Park. In 2008, the park was renamed in honor of retiring director John Yarbrough of Lee County Parks and Recreation.[2]
Features
The main trail runs parallel to the Ten Mile Canal and the Seminole Gulf Railway. It is dog-friendly, and includes picnic tables, benches, and covered shelters for shade. The trail crosses the Ten Mile Canal sporadically, with portions on the west side of the canal running close to the former right-of-way of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad's former route from Fort Ogden to Naples which existed from 1926 to 1952 (the adjacent Seminole Gulf Railway tracks were originally part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, Seaboard's competitor).[3] Roadway crossings include motion-activated flashing signals to warn motorists. Due to its proximity to the canal, wildlife including birds, turtles and even alligators can often be seen from the trail.
Filter Marsh
The park also includes a filter marsh south of Daniels Parkway. The filter marsh was built along with the first phase of the trail, and is designed to divert and purify water from the Ten Mile Canal. Purification is achieved as water moves slowly through the marsh, and plants such as white water lilies and bulrush aid the process before the water returns to the canal at the other end. The marshes and the included plants run right next to the trail and are visible throughout.[4]
Future
The next phase of the park will extend it south beyond Six Mile Cypress Parkway down to Jamaica Bay, just north of San Carlos Park. Some reports mention it being extended as far south as Mullock Creek.[5] At the other end, the park will at some point continue north as far as Edison Avenue near downtown Fort Myers.[6] A direct connection to the North Colonial Linear Park will also be included with this extension.[1] Although, no specific time frames have been set for either extension.
Gallery
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Shelter with a picnic table along the trail
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Turtles can often be seen sunbathing in the canal along the trail
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Alligators can be spotted occasionally in the canal
References
- 1 2 "Tour de Parks Route" (PDF). Lee County Parks and Recreation. 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
- ↑ "John Yarbrough Linear Park". Lee County Parks and Recreation. 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
- ↑ "Technical Report: Seminole Gulf/CSX Rail Corridor in Southwest Florida Land-Use Plans" (PDF). Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
- ↑ Waters, Jessica (February 11, 2006). "Lee's Ten-Mile Canal filter marsh project unique in S.W. Florida". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ↑ Waters, Jessica (November 26, 2005). "First phase of county's Ten Mile Linear Park opens in early '06". Naples Daily News.
- ↑ "Lee County Greenways Segments" (PDF). Lee County Parks and Recreation. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Yarbrough Linear Park. |