On
July 30, the first seven miles of the Paradise Coast Trail officially opened, marking an exciting milestone for Naples and Southwest Florida. This new trail segment represents years of planning, partnership and a shared commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
More than simply a recreational amenity, the Paradise Coast Trail creates opportunities for people to walk, run, bike and enjoy the natural beauty that makes Southwest Florida such a special place to call home. It promotes healthy lifestyles, strengthens connections between communities and gives residents and visitors another way to experience our region.
For the City of Naples, the trail complements a commitment we have been building upon for many years. Our network of bike lanes, shared-use paths and neighborhood greenways, together with destinations such as Baker Park and the Gordon River Greenway, provides opportunities to move through the city, enjoy the outdoors and connect with neighborhoods, parks and businesses.
The Paradise Coast Trail takes that vision beyond our city limits.
Building a More Connected Region
The long-term vision for the Paradise Coast Trail reaches well beyond the first seven miles now open. The planned corridor encompasses approximately 75 miles throughout Collier County and is envisioned as part of a larger regional network connecting Naples with South Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Bonita Springs and other communities.
Plans also envision connections with larger trail systems, including the Florida Gulf Coast Trail and the Collier-to-Polk/Florida Heartland Regional Trail.
For Naples, those connections are significant. Our existing pathways have the potential to become part of something much larger—a regional recreation and transportation network that could allow someone to begin a morning bicycle ride in Naples and someday continue well beyond the city, exploring parks, neighborhoods and destinations throughout Southwest Florida.
A local pathway could become the starting point for an entirely new way to experience our region.
That is one of the most exciting aspects of the Paradise Coast Trail. Trails do more than connect points on a map. They connect people with places.
They encourage us to slow down and notice what is around us—a park we may not have visited, a local restaurant we have been meaning to try, a neighborhood we have never explored or a stretch of natural Florida that reminds us why so many people are drawn to this part of the state.
Supporting Tourism and Our Local Economy
The Paradise Coast Trail also offers an opportunity to strengthen one of Southwest Florida’s most important economic engines: tourism.
Visitors increasingly seek experiences that allow them to explore a destination rather than simply travel through it. Walking, cycling, running and nature-based recreation provide a different way to experience Naples and Collier County—at a pace that allows people to see our neighborhoods, parks, waterways, natural environment and local businesses up close.
Imagine beginning the morning with a bicycle ride from a hotel, stopping for coffee, visiting a park or attraction, enjoying lunch at a local restaurant and discovering a part of Naples or Collier County you might never have seen from a car.
As the network expands, visitors may eventually be able to plan longer outings connecting Naples with other communities throughout Southwest Florida.
That type of activity can create opportunities for hotels, restaurants, bicycle shops, retailers, tour operators and other local businesses while broadening the range of experiences our region can offer.
For a destination already celebrated for its beaches, dining, shopping, arts, culture and natural beauty, a connected regional trail network adds another reason to get outside and discover what makes Southwest Florida special.
An Investment in Quality of Life
Perhaps the greatest value of the Paradise Coast Trail is that it can be many things to many people.
It can be a place for a sunrise walk, a family bicycle ride or an afternoon run. It can encourage healthy activity and time outdoors. It can introduce a visitor to a new corner of our region. It can support local businesses. And it can bring communities that once seemed separated by roadways and distance a little closer together.
The first seven miles are therefore more than the completion of a single project. They are the beginning of a much larger vision for how people can connect with and experience Southwest Florida.
This first phase would not have been possible without the dedication of community advocates, local leaders, partner agencies and residents who worked together over many years to bring the vision to life.
As additional segments take shape, each mile has the potential to create another connection—to a neighborhood, a park, a business, another community or simply to the natural surroundings we are fortunate to enjoy.
For Naples, the Paradise Coast Trail reinforces our longstanding commitment to thoughtful planning, recreation, connectivity and preserving the exceptional quality of life that makes our community so special.
The first seven miles provide a wonderful beginning. But what makes the Paradise Coast Trail truly exciting is not only where the path leads today.
It is about where it may take our community tomorrow.
