Taking the Scenic Route: The History and Future of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail
The Channel Park Trailhead sign welcomes you to enjoy the Upper Tampa Bay Trail Winding through the suburbs of northwest Hillsborough County, there's a perfect path to take a break from the buzz of car traffic and get your body moving. Shaded by oaks, palms, and pines; the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is a unique part of the Conservation and Environmental Lands Management department. While not a standard Conservation Park, this trail provides recreation opportunities for thousands of patrons a week, while also acting as a natural area buffer in suburban areas for native plants and wildlife. Much of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail was originally a railroad route, created in the early 1900’s by W.P. Lutz for his Tampa and Gulf Coast Railway. This railroad company connected areas of Tampa with Tarpon Springs and St Petersburg. As time ticked on, the use of the railway in the Tampa area slowed to a halt. In the 1990’s, “rails to trails” programs throughout the country began to reclaim unuse...