County to Celebrate Gateway Greenway Trail Groundbreaking
The County will celebrate the official start of construction on the Gateway Greenway Trail in Manatee County with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 18 at 8:30 AM. Elected officials, community leaders, project partners, and residents are invited to attend as the County marks a historic milestone in the development of its first countywide trail system.
The groundbreaking ceremony will mark the beginning of construction on the initial phase of the Gateway Greenway Trail, a project that lays the foundation for a larger vision to create a connected network of trails linking communities, parks, preserves, and destinations throughout the County.
“This groundbreaking represents more than the start of a construction project—it is the beginning of a long-term investment in connectivity, recreation, and quality of life for our residents,” said District 7 Commissioner George Kruse. “The Gateway Greenway Trail will serve as the backbone of a future trail network that connects people to places and communities to one another.”
The Gateway Greenway Trail is planned as a regional multi-modal corridor that will ultimately connect Palmetto and Parrish while providing access to key destinations throughout Manatee County. Planned extensions south of SR 64 along Bournside Boulevard will connect with trail facilities developed by private partners, creating a more comprehensive regional trail network.
The initial phase now moving into construction, is a significant step toward realizing the County’s vision for a connected trail system that promotes outdoor recreation, active transportation, environmental stewardship, and healthy lifestyles.
“The Manatee Gateway Greenway Trail will create new opportunities for safe recreation and transportation,” said Trust for Public Land Florida Gulf Coast Trail Project Director Charles Hines. “This groundbreaking is an exciting milestone for Manatee County and brings us that much closer to a more connected Florida Gulf Coast Trail.”
The groundbreaking ceremony will feature remarks from County officials, project partners, and community leaders, followed by a ceremonial shovel-turning to commemorate the start of construction.
Event Information
What: Gateway Greenway Trail Groundbreaking Ceremony
When: June 18, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Where: 17915 Waterline Service Road
Who: County Commissioners, elected officials, project partners, community leaders, and local residents.
About the Gateway Greenway Trail
The Gateway Greenway Trail is a multi-phase initiative designed to create a connected trail corridor linking communities, parks, preserves, and recreational destinations throughout the County. As future segments are completed, the trail will become part of a broader countywide network that enhances mobility, expands recreational opportunities, and strengthens connections between Palmetto, Parrish, and surrounding communities.
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.orgor contact Manatee County Government Communications at news@mymanatee.org or call (941) 745-6397 (NEWS). Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.