St. Petersburg wins Florida Trail Town designation for Greater Arts District
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Summary
City staff announced St. Petersburg’s Greater Arts District — a three‑mile segment of the Pinellas Trail from 31st Street to the waterfront — received the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Trail Town designation, a recognition that could boost state grant eligibility and ecotourism.
City staff announced on Jan. 15 that St. Petersburg has been designated a Florida Trail Town for a three‑mile section of the Pinellas Trail running from 31st Street to the waterfront. Cheryl Stacks, Transportation and Parking Management, told the council the designation was approved unanimously by the Florida Greenways and Trails Council after local site visits and a self‑assessment by city staff.
The designation recognizes cities with significant trail investments and amenities and can increase opportunities for state grant funding, Stacks said. She highlighted trail signage, 9‑1‑1 emergency markers, nearby businesses providing restrooms and Wi‑Fi access, bike parking, and partnerships with local events such as the Shine Mural Festival and Second Saturday Art Walk.
Stacks said the city focused the application on the Greater Arts District because the area’s arts and cultural destinations create a “symbiotic relationship” with the trail that encourages multimodal visits. The city will promote a visitor passport program, coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce, and pursue joint marketing with regional tourism partners. Stacks also noted the Florida Greenways and Trails Council plans to hold a meeting in St. Petersburg in April following the designation.
Councilmembers praised staff and community partners for coordinating the application. Council Member Corey Givens Jr. said the designation will help minority‑owned small businesses along the Warehouse Arts District and support multimodal transportation goals. Stacks told council she will conduct outreach to adjacent events — such as the Saturday morning market — to enroll more businesses in the Trail Town pledge.
Staff outlined next steps including pursuit of state grants, continued neighborhood engagement, and planning an extension of the Booker Creek Trail and additional access points onto the Pinellas Trail. No formal action was required; the presentation concluded with council commendations and plans to publicize the designation.