Walking Paths/Trails

[Oakley]

Hi - I am trying to find out if there are other walking paths I TV which have a softer/possibly rubber surface to walk on as there is in the Historic District. I love to walk but the asphalt/concrete does a number on my knees.

Thank You

[vintageogauge]

There is a pebble walking trail just off the wooden nature walk at the Fenney Rec. Center.

[Bay Kid]

I like to use the executive golf courses. No need to walk the paths.

[Oakley]

.....

[Oakley]

Thanks - do you walk while they are golfing? Many times I will walk the Springdale fitness trail in the grass.

[Oakley]

Thank You - do you have to know the distance of the trail?

[anothersteve]

Thanks - do you walk while they are golfing? Many times I will walk the Springdale fitness trail in the grass.

Pedestrian traffic is prohibited on all golf courses
Steve

[Two Bills]

We walk Hogeye Trail (2.5 miles) which is asphalt, but has grass either side that can be walked on, just avoid the ant nests!
We also walk when playing Executive courses, and cannot understand why more do not do so, if not handicapped in any way.

[coffeebean]

We walk Hogeye Trail (2.5 miles) which is asphalt, but has grass either side that can be walked on, just avoid the ant nests!
We also walk when playing Executive courses, and cannot understand why more do not do so, if not handicapped in any way.

Don't think I'd be walking in the grass areas.

[villagetinker]

Hi - I am trying to find out if there are other walking paths I TV which have a softer/possibly rubber surface to walk on as there is in the Historic District. I love to walk but the asphalt/concrete does a number on my knees.

Thank You

Oakley, you might try a good running sneaker. I had the same problem years ago when I was wearing dress shoes to work. I noticed on the weekends when I was in sneakers, no knee pain, I told my supervisor, and I have been wearing only sneakers since. I have also added additional arch supports, which provide additional cushion at the heels. The running shoes have more cushion than a standard sneaker. Hope this helps.

[justjim]

A bit off the specific subject but does have to do with walking and jogging. Our Son commented during a recent visit regarding walking/jogging in The Villages. “This is a very dangerous place to walk or jog in.” I agreed. He usually walks about a mile and then jogs a mile - fluctuating back and forth for about 5 or 6 miles. Walking through a tunnel is terrifying and trying to cross a roundabout or 466A where there are no sidewalks is like “Russian Roulette.” The multi Modal trails are not much better as golf carts will run you over if you aren’t alert 100% of the time. We live in LaBelle so perhaps walking/jogging is less dangerous in other parts of The Villages. After all this is a golf cart community and that is what we signed up for.

[coffeebean]

Walking around neighborhood streets is the better way to go. Stay out of the tunnels and walking on sidewalks on major roads is safer although, these suggestions may get boring after a while.

[vintageogauge]

A bit off the specific subject but does have to do with walking and jogging. Our Son commented during a recent visit regarding walking/jogging in The Villages. “This is a very dangerous place to walk or jog in.” I agreed. He usually walks about a mile and then jogs a mile - fluctuating back and forth for about 5 or 6 miles. Walking through a tunnel is terrifying and trying to cross a roundabout or 466A where there are no sidewalks is like “Russian Roulette.” The multi Modal trails are not much better as golf carts will run you over if you aren’t alert 100% of the time. We live in LaBelle so perhaps walking/jogging is less dangerous in other parts of The Villages. After all this is a golf cart community and that is what we signed up for.

That situation might be what prompted The Villages to put in so many miles of great walking trails south of 44.

[Ashley from UK]

Walking through a tunnel is terrifying and trying to cross a roundabout or 466A where there are no sidewalks is like “Russian Roulette.” The multi Modal trails are not much better as golf carts will run you over if you aren’t alert 100% of the time. .

I live in the suburbs of London and regularly run 13-18 miles home from Central London. Trust me golf carts are a LOT safer than the streets of South London, ESPECIALLY at nights with so many road junctions, dark smelly underpasses, and every driver thinking they are MadMax - there's no such thing as give way at junctions.... only seen one murder, a couple of drunks, been followed by a mugger (who gave up as i stuck to public roads at that point I became aware of him)... Then of course TV does have lots of rec centres with toilets (you'll get the importance of this if you're an older runner!!!) and water stations everywhere. It is all the safe running in TV that attracted us to Marsh Bend. It would be nice to have seen an athletics track at Everglades though, the only thing I think that was missed.

[sdeikenberry]

The walking path in the Historic side is rubber material. It’s also very scenic with huge old Live Oaks and mature greenery.

[Love2Swim]

A bit off the specific subject but does have to do with walking and jogging. Our Son commented during a recent visit regarding walking/jogging in The Villages. “This is a very dangerous place to walk or jog in.” I agreed. He usually walks about a mile and then jogs a mile - fluctuating back and forth for about 5 or 6 miles. Walking through a tunnel is terrifying and trying to cross a roundabout or 466A where there are no sidewalks is like “Russian Roulette.” The multi Modal trails are not much better as golf carts will run you over if you aren’t alert 100% of the time. We live in LaBelle so perhaps walking/jogging is less dangerous in other parts of The Villages. After all this is a golf cart community and that is what we signed up for.

The recreational trails are meant to be multi-use trails, to be shared by golf carts, walkers, joggers, cyclists, etc. Its a shame that golf cart drivers speed around at 20+ MPH with no thought to sharing the trail courteously. I try to walk early in the morning before the carts are out en masse.

[charmed59]

I haven’t seen the rubberized surfaces anywhere else.

If you are looking for a short loop with no bikes or carts and a variety of surfaces the is one around Lake Sumter Landing. Start at the bus depot walking away from the lake. Cross Old Mill Run and use the brick walkway that takes you through the Chops patio. Walk along the lock and under the covered bridge. There you follow the asphalt path along the creek behind Gordon’s garage. That path continues along the scenic creek until you get to Old Camp Road, cross at the brick cross walk and it takes you through Creekside park. The park ends at the corner of Canal and Old Camp Road.

Then you can walk on sidewalk passed the shops, you can draw it out by turning and heading toward Citizen’s Bank and then head toward the water at the light. The wooden boardwalk starts at the lighthouse and goes all the way to the hotel. From there head back to the bus depot. This walk is bit over a mile.

As others mentioned, there are nature walks in the south. The Hogeye Sink walk is about 3 miles, and golf carts are only allowed on a small portion. You do contend with bikes there.

[Ann Marie Acacio]

My husband and I like to walk the trails at Lake Okahumka State Park on CR 44. If you like longer trails, just go around again, or reverse your path! Very scenic and mostly quiet (except near 44.

[jandkindy]

The track at the villages high School is a rubberized surface which is similar to the historic district surface that you are looking for. The track club meets there on M, W & F from 7:30-9:30. I understand they have "power? walkers" using outside lanes.

[Bay Kid]

Thank You - do you have to know the distance of the trail?

The executive courses average about 2- 2 1/2 miles. Golf is just a way to ruin my walk. Not just a walk, always playing at golf.

[Taltarzac725]

Paradise Park in The Villages, Florida - 20 MAR 2017 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usgFfwbuVZg)

The walking trail around Paradise Park is quite soft and it weaves around.