Punta Gorda Linear Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Punta Gorda Linear Park |
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Linear Park at Olympia Avenue near Fishermen's Village
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| Length | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Location | Punta Gorda, Florida, United States |
| Use | Cycling, Walking, Hiking, Jogging |
| Season | Year round |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Right of way | Florida Southern/Atlantic Coast Line Railroad |
The Punta Gorda Linear Park is a cool, one-mile-long path in Punta Gorda, Florida. It's a special kind of trail called a rail trail, which means it was once a railroad track! This path stretches from Cross Street (near a big road called US 41) through a quiet neighborhood. It ends up at the fun Fishermen's Village.
Even though it's short, the park connects to other great paths. At Fishermen's Village, it links up with the Harborwalk. This longer path goes for two and a half more miles along the beautiful Peace River. The Linear Park also connects to Punta Gorda's Shared-Use Path on Shreve Street. It's a perfect spot for cycling, walking, or jogging!
Contents
Discovering the Park's Past
The Punta Gorda Linear Park follows the route of an old train line. This line used to belong to the Florida Southern and Atlantic Coast Line Railroad companies. Imagine trains chugging along where you now walk or bike!
When Trains First Arrived
The very first tracks were laid here in 1886. This was the southernmost point for the Florida Southern train line at that time. The train line is still used today east of US 41, but now it's operated by the Seminole Gulf Railway.
Connecting to Other Cities
The railroad was the end of the line in Punta Gorda until 1904. That's when the tracks were extended further south to Fort Myers. This helped connect more towns and transport goods.
Trains and the Docks
From 1886 to 1897, the train line helped connect to the historic Long Dock in Charlotte Harbor. This dock was near where the Isles Yacht Club is now. Later, in 1928, part of the line was used again. It served the Maud Street City Dock, which is the same spot where Fishermen's Village stands today. Trains used this section until the early 1970s.
