Bob Deakin Short Stories

The Rinehart Road/Crossings Trail in Lake Mary is currently one of the missing links within the chain of contiguous Seminole County Trails & Greenways from Sanford to Oviedo. This trail connects with the Seminole Wekiva Trail in Heathrow and ends near Lake Mary High School, covering approximately seven miles. It will eventually extend east to the Orange County line at Howell Branch Road in Winter Park and become the Cross Seminole Trail.

The trail is another of the 12 foot-wide two-lane paved paths that travel through urban settings throughout the greater Orlando area as part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Greenways & Trails program. The Rinehart Road/Crossings Trail begins on Rinehart Road in Lake Mary then splits to the south toward Longwood and north toward Sanford, where it ends approximately a mile away. The trail is connected to the Seminole Wekiva Trail via the pedestrian suspension bridge over I-4 , which continues between office buildings to International Parkway in Heathrow.

The initial stretch of the trail is rife with busy intersections across and along heavily-traveled Rinehart Road. About two miles south and it’s across the massive pedestrian bridge over Lake Mary Blvd. at Greenwood Blvd. At that point the traffic thins out and it cuts through residential areas to Greenway Blvd. From here the trail travels east past the public library and the Greenwood Lakes Middle School to Greenwood Lakes Park, which serves as an appropriate spot for a break with rest rooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, parking and even a roller hockey rink. From there the trail continues east and ends at Lake Mary High School on Longwood Lake Mary Rd.

The next stretch of the trail has yet to be completed, although there is a wide sidewalk all the way to Ronald Reagan Blvd. The path, however, is not as wide as the previous stretches and is covered with cracks and occasional debris. The only remaining indication that the trail exists from this point southeast is a sign identifying the trail at the intersection of Longwood Lake Mary Rd. and Ronald Reagan Blvd.

It is only advisable to continue the trail on bicycle any further than Lake Mary High School if one doesn’t mind riding in the road. Once at Ronald Reagan Blvd. take a left then a quick right where the paved trail begins once again on General Hutchinson Pkwy as the Cross Seminole Trail.

For those crossing the pedestrian bridge over I-4 and traveling north on Rinehart Road, the trail ends approximately a mile away at H. E. Thomas Jr. Pkwy, with many business entrances along the way, making for an arduous journey. This stretch will eventually connect with U.S. Highway 17-92 along Lake Monroe in Sanford, and portions of the trail have been paved and marked intermittently.

One thing to keep in mind is the big picture: The Cross Seminole Trail, as with many others in the DEP’s trails program, is a work in progress. While some stretches are seemingly short and difficult to navigate, the paths and signage will eventually be improved, with additional facilities such as rest areas and welcome kiosks added. The state and local municipalities have accomplished an amazing task to date, undertaking what often seems to be impossible projects over major highways and through intensely congested urban and residential areas.

Along the Rinehart Road/Crossings Trail are a number of interesting features such as the two bridges, and the tunnel under Greenwood Blvd. Near the Lake Mary Blvd. bridge (the bridge has no official name) are a host of eateries, shops, and every conceivable fast-food restaurant and large retail outlet. Underneath the bridge is Smitty’s Chicago Style, serving Chicago Hot Dogs, ice cream and other treats with public rest rooms and a picnic area.

It was here that this reporter’s bicycle suffered a blowout and got to test the emergency flat repair canister: Grade F. Did not work on the thin tires of the road bike but fortunately the car was parked on the other side of the bridge.

All in all, the journey of the incomplete Rinehart Road/Crossings Trail was interesting if not exhilarating. It is not a scenic trail other than the trip across the bridge over I-4 (built in 2003), which is spectacular for the sheer architectural marvel. Running or biking the trail is worth the effort if it’s an investigative effort one desires. If it’s a good workout or a scenic journey near Orlando that one is after however, make another choice such as the West Orange Trail or the lower half of the Seminole Wekiva Trail.

Map of the entire proposed Cross Seminole Trail.

Originally published on Examiner.com Orlando in 2010

Copyright 2010