The Ozona community is now recognized on the Pinellas Trail. On August 1, a set of navigational signs was installed off the trail crossings at Orange Street  and Pennsylvania Avenue. 

“They are more than just navigational markers,” said Brian Smith, a retired director of the Planning Department of Pinellas County, who initiated the project and was present during sign installation. “Each set of signs is set to be representative of its community.”

An illustration of a kayaker at sunset reading ‘Village of Ozona on the Pinellas Trail’ is representative of the community. 

Smith said that he saw a need to have the various communities be recognized as residents entered them on the trail. 

Signs are expected to be installed in the Crystal Beach and Old Palm Harbor communities in the coming months. Each set will capitalize on each community’s public spaces. 

The project is funded through grant money Smith received as one of the Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions during the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s 25^th Anniversary celebration last October. Smith, who was instrumental in the creation and expansion of the Pinellas Trail, was honored with a group of men and women who have made a remarkable contribution to the Rail-Trail movement during the past quarter century.

“The objective is to install signs along the whole trail,” said Smith, who plans to work with other communities on sign installation.

Thanks to the Pinellas County Communications Dept. for passing this information along.