ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla — A proposed trail in St. Augustine has become so controversial, it has divided a neighborhood.
A long greenspace stretches nearly the entire east side of the St. Augustine South neighborhood.
It runs right by the Intra-Coastal Waterway and Shore Drive. It’s a popular area for people to walk and bike along.
St. Johns County is considering creating an 8-foot-wide paved trail that would run the length of the green space. It would be a little more than three miles long and cost $1.8 million.
The idea of the trail has split the neighborhood into those who want it and those who really do not.
Yard signs dot the neighborhood of more than 2,000 homes. Some say "Pro Trail" and others say "No trail."
“I’ve lived here since 2003. And I’ve watched so many near misses in this curve,” Margo Geer pointed to Shore Drive. She has hung a banner on her front porch which reads, "Go Trail! Thank you SJC Parks & Recreation." She wants the trail for safety reasons.
“It’s time that we got the walkers, the bikers, and other pedestrians and joggers and the people that need an ADA trail off of Shore Drive,” Geer noted.
People often choose to walk and cycle on the road.
However, folks such as Justin Miller do not want the trail.
“We’re concerned that the trail will impact the tree’s health,” Miller said. “We’re also concerned that the runoff from the trail will contribute to the erosion problem.”
Those who oppose the trail received a report from a master arborist, who said, “this trail would negatively impact the trees,” Miller noted.
The St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department’s presentation to the county commission states the trail will avoid specimen trees and the county will hire an arborist for guidance on the project. The county presentation also states the trail will not exacerbate erosion.
Some of the residents in the St. Augustine South neighborhood suggested a compromise; that would be a sidewalk with a passive park.
When asked about a sidewalk, Miller said, "I’d be okay with a sidewalk."
Geer said, "That should’ve been brought up three years ago."
A county spokesperson told First Coast News the county commission will not be considering a sidewalk right now. Tuesday, commissioners will vote on the 8-foot-wide trail.
If the county commission approves the trail, construction could start in one to two months and it will take approximately 180 days to complete.