The Florida Department of Transportation, working with Volusia and Brevard counties, announced in May the completion of the East Central Regional Trail. It links Green Springs Park in Deltona to downtown Titusville, a span of 52 miles, making it the state’s longest trail.

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The East Central Regional Trail spans Volusia and Brevard counties as the longest recreation trail in Florida.
“Converting an old unused rail line to a multiuse trail offers the local community a different kind of recreation,” said DOT’s secretary, Kevin Thibault.

Along the way are miles of open wilderness — meaning lots of wildlife and no stores, houses or cars — near Maytown. And there’s more adventure on either end. The Spring-to-Spring Trail extends west from Green Springs to Gemini Springs and beyond. From downtown Titusville, it’s an easy ride east to the Max Brewer Bridge’s expansive view of the Indian River and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Florida bought the former railroad corridor in 2007 for $16 million. That acquisition gradually in parts and pieces was redeveloped and paved as the East Central Regional Rail Trail.

The trail’s final gap of 3.6 miles was completed with funding of nearly $5.5 million from the state and Volusia County.

“It’s exciting to know plans don’t stop here,” said state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein of how the trail is part of a bigger picture.

The East Central Regional Rail Trail serves as a segment of larger trails. One is the 260-mile St Johns River-to-Sea Loop, which is about half complete.

Another is the state’s showcase, 250-mile Coast to Coast Trail from Canaveral National Seashore to Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, which is nearing completion but has significant gaps remaining in several counties.