Got bikes?
Nod yes.
Now open up your day timer and pencil in your next ride. You are going for a good time in Punta Gorda. Some eighteen miles of pathways make a ring around the city, linking downtown areas separated by US 41 with neighborhoods, commercial areas and parks.
All Punta Gorda Pathways are bicycle, pedestrian and pet friendly. The generous wide pathways meander alongside the glorious waterfront, cruise through historic areas, find shade in parks and connect with shopping areas.
Punta Gorda – laid back and friendly
Punta Gorda, a laid back city that values its slow, tide-oriented pace (“We’re not Tampa” the locals like to say) is just one hour south of Sarasota in southwest Florida. The city rims the south side a big round bowl of a bay.
Peggy Nederveld of Acme Bicycle Shop leads a ride on the Punta Gorda Pathways. Photo by Lucy Beebe Tobias
Punta Gorda sustained knockdown blows by Hurricane Charlie in 2004. Residents can tell you exactly where they were the moment it hit. But the town has come back strong by hitching its revitalization wagon to new buildings plus alternative transportation based on connecting all aspects of the community. And it works.
It is conceivable that you could fly into the airport (23 cities have flights into Punta Gorda), unload your bike from the cargo hold and head for the Punta Gorda Pathways. Should you want to leave bikes at home and rent instead, the Acme Bicycle Shop in the Cross Trails Center, a locally owned store, not only has friendly help, bikes for sale, bikes for rent but also tour guides who will take you on the pathways and give extensive narrations on town history.
Wait, there’s more!
For those who like to roll along on two wheels but don’t have any or left bikes at home TEAM Punta Gorda has put in bike stations with one-speed bikes – this is a free loaner program. Just check in, a copy is made of your driver’s license and credit card and you are good to roll. There is no charge.
Various locations for free loaner bikes include: Four Points by Sheraton, Laishley Municipal Marina, Bayfront Health, Fishermen’s Village Marina. TEAM is an acronym meaning “Together Everyone Achieves More”.
Parks that Teach in Punta Gorda
For those who’d rather walk, or take a bike break, an example of pedestrian friendly is the “Parks that Teach” corridor of the Pathways. University of Florida Master Gardeners lead guided tour along the pathway identifying ecosystems, plants and shrubs. You may come away inspired for your own yard. All tours are free. No signup required.
Guided walks happen the first Saturday at 8 a.m. and the third Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., leaving from Fisherman’s Village. Groups can schedule a tour. Call the Master Gardeners at 941-764-4340.
Pathways include various projects – Harborwalk, Linear Park a US 41 multi-use trail and more. More phases will be added when funds are forthcoming.
We took a two-hour guided tour with Peggy Nederveld from Acme Bicycle Shop. Forget going fast or racking up miles on the computer. We were busy gawking, yes, genuine jaw dropping gawking, at the panoramic view of the bay, the beautiful inlaid pathway compass points and surprises like the bike station near Fishermen’s Village. It has tools for bike repair, tire pump and next to this station is a water fountain with graduated bowl heights for adults, kids and dogs. Amazing!
Out came the cell phones and postings to Facebook followed.
At the Punta Gorda History Park we dismounted and walked around. Two acres on Shreve Street are being developed as a historic relocation site. Several small houses that would have been demolished have a new home here. Lovely meandering landscaping and a truly unique brick path (there is no pattern only random designs) connect the homes.
Note the profusion of hibiscus plants – a conscious landscaping decision in keeping with Punta Gorda’s designation as the “City of Hibiscus”.
On Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. a lively Farmer’s Market spreads out across the grounds – a nice double visit – history park and Farmer’s Market.
Punta Gorda – food and farmer’s markets are calling
Downtown Punta Gorda also has a Farmer’s Market, this one is on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Taylor Street.
Saturday Farmers Market on Taylor Street in downtown Punta Gorda. Photo by Lucy Beebe Tobias
Of course, all that fun biking leads to talk of food. You’ve got choices. Punta Gorda has over 50 independently owned restaurants. And soon, a new brewery will join the mix. With a projected opening in August, Fat Point Brewing will debut its taproom on Charlotte Street. Their motto: “Everybody loves beer, they just don’t know it yet.”
While preparing to open they’re hosting events from Fort Myers to Sarasota.
We went to a beer brunch by Fat Point Brewing and Opus a restaurant and lounge on West Marion Avenue in downtown Punta Gorda. Executive chef Jason Van Marter partnered up delightful food choices to go with various beer drinks like Grapefruit Beermosa (fresh grapefruit juice with Belgian Strong Ale] and Fat Point Rise & Grind Oatmeal Stout (Oatmeal Stout infused with Allspice, Cinnamon and Coffee – this one is definitely turbo charged).
Beer brunch – Opus blackened snapper partnered with Fat Point Ryeght Angle IPA Michelada (Bloody Mary Mix). Photo by Lucy Beebe Tobias
Opus, open for lunch and dinner, is part of the downtown Punta Gorda scene and will have Fat Point Brewery choices on their bar menu.
Fortified with food, want to go out, get wet and hang out with sea creatures? It is doable at the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center on Burnt Shore Road, call (941) 575-5435. Take a wading Sea-grass Adventure. It is free. Do wear wading shoes and be aware you’ll get wet up to your knees. Call for details.
For more places to go and things to do in Punta Gorda and the Charlotte Harbor area contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau.
My visit to Punta Gorda was hosted by Florida SEE – the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism. Their definition of Authentic Ecotourism is: “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”
Water Conservation Titbit
Just a small thing, but it adds up. Put the end of your hose in a bucket. When you turn on the hose water flows into the bucket before you pick it up to water plants. Do the same when shutting off the hose. Every bit of water saved is water conserved. Nothing wasted. Works for me.
More to Explore
If you want to be invigorated, visit Sarasota