WELCOME TO

FRIENDS OF TRAILS CROSSING

TrailsX Vision:

This innovative public-private partnership will create a vibrant public space across four underutilized blocks beneath I-275, seamlessly connecting pedestrians and cyclists to the Pinellas Trail through safe crossings and thoughtfully designed amenities.

The 1st phase of the park will span 1st Ave N to 3rd Ave S, with plans to extend from 5th Ave N to 5th Ave S, to reconnect downtown St. Pete’s North and South districts.

Featured are illuminated art walls, walking and biking paths, interactive sculptures, a children’s play area, a dog park, murals, a green amphitheater, and more—turning an overlooked space into a thriving hub for culture, recreation, and connection.

LEADING THE Project

John Barkett, co-founder and president of Friends of Trails Crossing, Inc., has been instrumental in driving the public-private partnership to transform four city blocks into a community-driven space. His conceptual plan helped engage community and city leaders, shaping the park’s vision. Recently, Friends of Trails Crossing co-applied for the Reconstructing Communities USDOT grant alongside the City of St. Petersburg and Forward Pinellas. With Land Design selected to complete the master plan, and the St. Pete City Council in agreement to co-fund, we are on the precipice of making this vision a reality.

Friends of TrailsX

Our mission is to create and sustain a world-class cultural park, featuring safely lit pedestrian trails and dynamic community programming. Through health, wellness, arts, and education initiatives, we aim to unite neighborhoods and transform the space into a vibrant, connected, and inclusive destination.

Creating Spaces that Matter

About LandDesign - City of St. Pete’s Chosen Planning Agency

  • "I think it has the ability to bring together a group of diverse neighborhoods with a sense of identity, which is very exciting,"

    Ken Smith, LandDesign’s Principal Landscape Architect

  • "What’s impressive about Trails Crossing is the mixture of the arts, local businesses, and event space that will be a sheltered gathering place for people, without the need for a car.”

    Shaquille Lashley, Sales and Leasing Specialist with Barkett Realty

  • “We really spent time looking at neighborhoods around the site – the (Pinellas) Trail, the (Booker) Creek and all that – to see how all that stuff can come together.”

    Ken Smith, LandDesign’s Principal Landscape Architect

  • “We went out to the site and started brainstorming ideas on how to make this a really great and comfortable space. Improving safety and comfort, but also adding in some of those vibrant, active components.”

    Carrie Read, Deputy Project Manager for Land Design

  • “The trail is a natural extension that hasn’t been fully explored, where people could have a 500-square-foot apartment, ride a bike into downtown and have a really cool life,”

    Jason Mathis, CEO of St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership

  • “They really spent a lot of time on safety – that came through very strong and seemed to be one of their most critical considerations."

    Brian Caper, City of St. Pete Economic and Workforce Development Director

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