If you are interested in recreation in or along the Peace River between its beginning in Bartow and Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda, watch for news of a series of meetings and discussions over the next five years.
The effort comes through a $175,000 grant from the National Park Service in connection with the recovery work following hurricanes Ian and Milton. The grant will be administered by the Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
Jennifer Codo-Salisbury, the council’s executive director, said the first meetings to assemble people interested in the project will occur next spring.
She said the work will also include updates of growth plans in DeSoto and Hardee counties.
The idea is to improve recreational use of the river with an eye toward economic development in the region, she said.
She said in addition to promoting the use of the river as a recreational trail, the effort will also examine the potential for trails in upland areas near the river.
This effort will follow earlier efforts in Polk County to improve river recreation by establishing a system of wayfinding signs, especially in the section between Homeland and Fort Meade where the river channel is not well-defined in places and efforts to clear debris that hinders navigation from the river.
Ancient Islands Sierra has long supported a more robust trail system in and along the Peace River’s 106-mile course through Polk, Hardee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties.
Stay tuned for updates