City of Stuart adopts resolution to apply for Florida Trail Town designation

The City of Stuart on Jan. 27 adopted Resolution No. 11-2025 authorizing the city to apply for a Trail Town designation through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, with support from Martin County’s tourism office and the Tourism Development Council.

Jim Kalski, community services director for the City of Stuart, told the joint meeting of the City Commission, Community Redevelopment Agency and Community Redevelopment Board that Trail Towns are intended to link trails with local businesses and attractions and promote ecotourism. “Trail towns are a part of the state's effort to integrate recreation, ecotourism, and local economic development,” Kalski said, describing the designation as a way to bring trail users into downtown businesses and cultural sites.

A nut graf: The resolution commits the city to apply and be evaluated by the state program; it does not obligate the city to a specific construction program. Staff and several board members described the designation as largely promotional at this stage and said any capital work beyond signage would be subject to future funding and board approval.

Discussion at the meeting focused on how the Trail Town label would connect to existing assets and what, if any, new infrastructure the city might be asked to provide. Kalski said the state evaluation will identify specific trail segments within Martin County and that Martin County had approached Stuart about participating. He listed existing local assets – Haney Creek walks, Green River Parkway and waterfront trail connections – and said the city’s recreation programming already dovetails with the Trail Town concept.

Board members raised questions about what the designation would require. Board member Breckbill asked whether the program would require new amenities such as restrooms, trailheads, boat launches or bike repair stations; Kalski responded that the immediate requirement is largely signage, and that he would seek Tourism Development Council funding for collateral materials if the city is designated. Board member Moser stressed safety and connectivity as priorities if the city pursues the program, saying wide sidewalks, protected bike lanes and safer downtown crossings are currently lacking.

Several speakers suggested using the designation as leverage to market kayaking and river-based access, and to coordinate events such as 5Ks that could incorporate trail segments. Kalski said initial costs were expected to be “very minimal, if any, besides the signage” and that the Tourism Development Council had been receptive to supporting map and promotional materials.

The motion to adopt Resolution No. 11-2025 was made by Board member Clark and seconded by Board member Collins. The commission/board conducted a roll call vote: Commissioner/Board member Clark — yes; Commissioner/Board member GOB — yes; Vice Mayor Collins — yes; Mayor Rich — yes; Commissioner Reid — yes. The motion carried; the resolution was approved.

The action directs staff to proceed with the application and to return to the board/commission for any requests for funding or specific project work that would follow designation. Kalski said the next step is the state evaluation to identify connecting trail segments within Martin County.

The Trail Town program is already in use for about 20 communities in Florida, staff noted, and the city intends to use the designation to market ecotourism and expand the downtown visitor experience if the state grants the designation. Any expenditures beyond signage and promotional materials will require future board/commission approval.