The anniversary of the opening of The Legacy Trail will be extra special this spring with the inaugural “Tour de Parks Bicycle Fun Ride” at 7 a.m. Sunday, March 28, at the Historic Venice Train Depot, 303 East Venice Ave., Venice.

Participants can choose between three different events: a 15-mile ride and family walk will leave the depot at 9 a.m., and for the more advanced riders a 35-mile or 65-mile ride, which will leave the depot at 8 a.m. Each route will take participants on a tour through some of Sarasota County’s best natural areas and recreational parks.

All rides feature rest stops with snacks and include roadside assistance. A catered lunch will be served 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Venice Train Depot. Participants who register early are guaranteed to receive a complimentary t-shirt and water bottle. The cost to participate is $35 with all proceeds benefiting the Friends of The Legacy Trail.

Participants will also receive a complimentary Tour de Parks raffle ticket with a chance to win prizes including a three-day, two-night stay at Palm Island Resort, a two-night stay at the Hampton Inn, dinner at Johnny Leverock’s Restaurant, all in Cape Haze, and gifts from other local merchants. Raffle tickets will also be on sale for non-riders for $5. Open to all ages, the Tour de Parks Bicycle Ride is an exciting recreational opportunity to experience a connection with nature and learn more about The Legacy Trail and the Sarasota County parks system.

Advance registration is available at http://www.legacytrailfriends.org/html/tour.html

. On-site registration the day of the event begins at 7 a.m. with breakfast catered by First Watch Restaurant.
Opened in March 2008, The Legacy Trail attracts an estimated 100,000 walkers, joggers and cyclists each year. Stretching from Sarasota to Venice on a former railroad bed, the paved trail is one of the most popular attractions in Sarasota County.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000, visit http://legacytrailfriends.org/html/tour.html.