North Lake Trail Gets $4 Million Boost

    The proposed North Lake Trail, running from Astor to Umatilla, is getting a big shot in the arm that will bring it, at least partly, to reality. News broke this week that Lake County is poised to allocate nearly $4 million toward the trail, enough money to conduct a full study of the section and to partially fund construction.
    “The plan is to do the study with $2.2 million, and use the other $1.7 million for construction,” said Lake County Commissioner Josh Blake on Monday. Blake, whose district covers the area in and around Umatilla, said the funds are being allocated from the county’s $71 million federal award through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the recently passed federal spending program.
    The Lake County Commission is currently working through the process of deciding how it will spend its share of the ARPA funds, and moving the trail forward appears to be on the front burner.
    Blake said the trail is getting prioritized due to it being in an area that meets a ‘qualified census track’ designation. Such areas are targeted for spending of ARPA funds.
    The study, known as a PD&E (Project Development & Environmental) will settle the exact path of the trail, taking a variety of factors into consideration, including environmental impacts, the US Forest Service’s preferences for the trail, and more. Including factors needing to be settled is the trail’s exact path through the forest to Astor. Currently, three possibilities are on the table: CR 445 past Alexander Springs, CR 445A, and SR 19 to SR 40.
    Blake, who has voiced concerns over the large amount of money being spent at the federal level - even if some of the money comes to Lake County, said he is happy that some of Lake County's funds will be used for the creation of a lasting public use facility.
    “That’s probably one of the most legitimate uses of the money.”
    Once in place, the trail will connect with the Heart of Florida loop, a trail system that will encircle Central Florida and run along SR 40 in Astor.
    Trail supporters hailed the news this week.
    “It’s a big shot in the arm,” said Michael Stephens, who serves as the chairman of the Lake 100 trail committee as well as with the Friends of Lake County Trails. “This is a great first step.”
    Two items remain up in the air. It is unknown which section of the trail will be constructed with the $1.7 million, though Stephens said he has heard that the section from Umatilla through Altoona to the forest is being looked at closely. Also, the final OK for spending the ARPA funds on the project is awaiting final federal approval.
    “We’ve asked for some clarification on a lot of things,” Blake said regarding federal requirements for spending the money. “It’s very slow getting specifics back. The list we have now is tentative.”
    However, Blake said county officials feel good that what they are proposing will eventually get approved, especially the trail project.
    “I think we’re pretty sure this project will be approved. Everyone feels reasonably sure about it.”
    The trail between Astor and Umatilla is one of three sections envisioned to run to Tavares, where it will connect with a trail running through the Golden Triangle. From there, it will continue into South Lake County. In its entirety, the trail is known as the River To Hills Trail.