Celebration marks opening of Pinellas Duke Energy Trail

An enthusiastic ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning marked the opening of the north segment of the Pinellas Duke Energy Trail. The event included comments by Pinellas County Commission Chairman Charlie Justice, Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager Jeff Baker, and Friends of the Pinellas Trail President Scott Daniels. Several dozen people attended, including trail enthusiasts and area residents.

The new trail stretches 6.7 miles from Enterprise Road through the Countryside portion of Clearwater to John Chesnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor. It completes the North Gap of the planned Pinellas Trail Loop, a continuous 75-mile multi-use pathway that will eventually circle the County.

The Pinellas Duke Energy Trail is completed except for some minor items and a pedestrian bridge over the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal. Bridge construction is expected to begin next spring and conclude in summer 2024. In the meantime, a temporary connection of the trail from the intersection of Tampa Road and McMullen Booth Road to East Lake Road is available via existing sidewalks (signs are posted).