ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A new connector along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail officially opened in Orange County on Friday, linking Orange and Lake counties with a nearly three-quarter-mile stretch of newly-constructed multiuse path — at a cost of $10 million.
The Lake Apopka Connector Trail is designed to improve access and safety for cyclists, runners, and even horseback riders who previously navigated busy roadways to travel between the two counties.
Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore said the turnout at the ribbon-cutting ceremony reflected strong community interest.
“I’ve never seen so many bikers in one spot for a trail opening. I mean, this is a big deal,” Moore said. “When we posted about this, we had 50,000 views. It was the most popular post I’ve ever had. So they’re excited.”
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Before the trail opened, cyclists said one stretch of roadway was particularly dangerous.
“Honestly, that’s the scariest section that you have to ride on because there’s absolutely no berm for us to get on the road,” said rider Nicole Blessing. “So we’re riding on the white line. So you have the cars right by you.”
County leaders emphasized that safety was a driving force behind the project, creating a separated space for recreational users away from vehicle traffic.
The paved trail is open not only to cyclists and runners but also to equestrians — a feature that may surprise some visitors.
“Do you feel safe with the bike riders?” one horseback rider was asked at the opening.
“Oh, they’re usually pretty good about everything. Sometimes they need to holler out, you know, passing,” she replied.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the county’s Parks and Recreation Department provides education on trail etiquette to ensure different users can safely share the space.
“The horse riders have to be responsive in what they’re doing, just like the children and the bicycle riders and everything,” Demings said. “One of the things that we do through our Parks and Recreation Department is teach about the safety-related issues.”
The opening marked the culmination of years of planning.
“You know, it’s really exciting because I actually was part of the team that designed it,” said Scott Stewart. “So to see it all come to fruition, seeing it in this beautiful and scenic setting, it’s kind of surreal.”
The trail is free and open to the public. County officials say they hope the connector will encourage more residents to get outdoors while providing a safer route between Orange and Lake counties.