Digitally generated illustration of a paved multiuse trail. Not a photo of the proposed route.
Government
2026-10-175 min readCity of Ocala Holds Oct. 28 Public Meeting on 6.2-Mile Downtown Ocala Trail to Silver Springs State Park
This is a government news article published on 2026-10-17 covering local Marion County, Florida news. The City of Ocala will hold a public meeting Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. on a proposed 6.2-mile trail linking the Osceola Avenue trail downtown to Silver Springs State Park. The project is in design and funded through an FDOT federal program.
Updated Yesterday
By Only In Ocala Staff
Share:
The City of Ocala is asking residents what they think of a proposed 6.2-mile trail that would connect downtown Ocala to Silver Springs State Park. A public meeting is set for Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Marion County Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, according to a City of Ocala press release dated Oct. 14, 2026.
The trail would run about 6.2 miles and connect the existing Osceola Avenue multimodal trail in downtown Ocala to Silver Springs State Park. The city says the project is meant to expand the Marion County regional trail network and add places for walking, bicycling and other nonmotorized travel.
The release does not give a route map, a construction schedule or a cost. Those are likely to be the questions at the meeting, so residents and business owners near the corridor may want to bring them.
The city invited nearby property owners, business owners, community organizations and residents to attend, learn about the trail and give feedback that will inform the design. Questions can go to the City of Ocala Engineering Department at 352-351-6775; the city also points to ocalafl.gov/engineering.
Silver Springs State Park already draws visitors from downtown by car; our Ocala to Silver Springs guide covers the drive, and the state park guide covers entry and activities. For trails that exist today, see walking trails in Ocala, Santos bike trails and the Cross Florida Greenway. Downtown, the proposed trail would begin where the existing Osceola Avenue trail ends; see downtown Ocala for the area, and downtown parking is covered separately. Local shops such as Brick City Bikes serve riders in the area.
Digitally generated illustration of a paved multiuse trail. Not a photo of the proposed route.
What the City Says Is Proposed
The trail would run about 6.2 miles and connect the existing Osceola Avenue multimodal trail in downtown Ocala to Silver Springs State Park. The city says the project is meant to expand the Marion County regional trail network and add places for walking, bicycling and other nonmotorized travel.
- Surface: where feasible, an 8- to 12-foot-wide paved multiuse path, with some sections using existing roadways and sidewalks.
- Wayfinding: signs to help trail users find their way.
- Accessibility: pedestrian facilities and amenities designed to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
- Status: the project is in the design phase.
- Funding: the Florida Department of Transportation's federally funded Local Agency Program (LAP).
The release does not give a route map, a construction schedule or a cost. Those are likely to be the questions at the meeting, so residents and business owners near the corridor may want to bring them.
Who the City Wants to Hear From
The city invited nearby property owners, business owners, community organizations and residents to attend, learn about the trail and give feedback that will inform the design. Questions can go to the City of Ocala Engineering Department at 352-351-6775; the city also points to ocalafl.gov/engineering.
Where This Fits
Silver Springs State Park already draws visitors from downtown by car; our Ocala to Silver Springs guide covers the drive, and the state park guide covers entry and activities. For trails that exist today, see walking trails in Ocala, Santos bike trails and the Cross Florida Greenway. Downtown, the proposed trail would begin where the existing Osceola Avenue trail ends; see downtown Ocala for the area, and downtown parking is covered separately. Local shops such as Brick City Bikes serve riders in the area.
Sources: City of Ocala press release, "City of Ocala to Host Public Meeting on Downtown Ocala Trail Project," Oct. 14, 2026. Checked Oct. 17, 2026.
Downtown Ocala Trail
Silver Springs State Park
Trails
City of Ocala
Engineering
FDOT
Public Meeting
Osceola Avenue
Marion County
Government
Related Ocala Guides
More context and planning resources from Only In Ocala.