Since the startup of the next Trailblazer project is pending, the following is a recap of some of the highlights of past projects:

 

Lake Mary Rinehart Road Recreational Trail

The enhancement of the trail was the organization's first project, and was a learning process for both the city and the Trailblazers. Prior to the beginning of the enhancement, the "trail" was considered a connector spur that would eventually link the Cross Seminole trail with the soon to be constructed suspension bridge crossing I-4. Because of it's relative unimportance in relation to the overall trail system, the county had done little to improve it. The trail was a 2.3 mile strip of blacktop, void of grass and landscaping. It took almost three years of fund raising and  grant applications but when the project was finished, the trail had been enhanced with $350,000 worth of landscaping, water fountains, bricked rest areas with benches and planters and a 10 station exercise course. The trail is now heavily used by local residents and is the site of the city's annual 5K run which is jointly sponsored by the City of Lake Mary and the Trailblazer organization.

 

Trailblazer Park

Trailblazer Park is located at the Lake Mary Sports Complex just north of  N. Country Club Road.  It was chosen as the Trailblazer's second project because Lake Mary lacked a major play facility for kids. From the beginning, the plan for the park was that it was to be a state of the art facility, with equipment that mixed fun with fitness and decision making. The completed park, funded with $750,000 in donations and grants, opened in 2008 with an oversized splash pad and a collection of modern play/exercise equipment not  found anywhere else in Central Florida. The facility is very popular with both kids and adults, especially during the eight months of the year that the splash pad is open.

 

The Lake Mary Museum

The Lake Mary Museum was a different kind of project for the Trailblazers, since the museum was already in existence. The museum was run by volunteers, but lacked direction and a steady stream of funding for events and exhibits. The trailblazer's first goal was to inventory the museum  artifacts and set up an inventory system. While the inventory was in progress, a business plan was developed and a website was created to promote museum exhibits and events. Once the business plan was in place and the website up, the Trailblazers worked with the volunteers to refurbish the museum and maximize the available exhibit space in the building. Today, the museum has  a cadre of trained volunteers, up to date equipment and a revenue stream from a schedule of events that attract hundreds of visitors throughout the year. For more information, visit their website at www.lakemaryhistory.org.

 

The Lake Mary Cemetery

The latest Trailblazer project, the cemetery initiative is scheduled to start soon. The cemetery was opened in the late 1890's, with the first burial taking place in 1901. It is considered a historical site. Preliminary plans call for enhancing the cemetery with landscaping and fencing and expanding the existing burial plots and adding a columbarium to enable more Lake Mary families to place their loved ones there. In conjunction with the improvements. As was done with the cemetery, a business plan will be developed to guide the future operation and marketing of the facility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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