A new multi-use trail in East Gainesville is now open to the public, providing improved connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists, runners and other users traveling through the area.
According to a city of Gainesville release sent Tuesday, the NE 31st Avenue Trail stretches nearly one mile along the north side of NE 31st Avenue between NE 15th Street and NE Waldo Road. The 10-foot-wide asphalt trail connects residential neighborhoods, schools, commercial areas and an existing trail network along Waldo Road.
The new trail also provides safer access to Unity Park and Flatwoods Conservation Area, two city-owned green spaces located along the corridor.
“The new trail is an investment in connectivity and safety for our community,” said Gainesville City Commissioner James Ingle, At-Large Seat A, in the press release. “I expect it will get widely used by neighbors and cyclists alike.”
Construction on the project began in October 2025 and was completed this spring. The approximately $1.5 million project was fully funded through the Wild Spaces & Public Places surtax program, including a $333,333 allocation from Alachua County designated specifically for the trail.
City officials said the project represents a key segment of a larger planned trail network designed to improve mobility and recreational opportunities throughout east Gainesville.
The trail is expected to connect with the proposed Eastside Loop Trail, which would extend south toward University Avenue near Fred Cone Park and east toward Hawthorne Road at Southeast Eighth Avenue near the Eastside Health and Economic Development Initiative at Cornerstone.
“We are excited to complete construction on this project,” said Wild Spaces & Public Places Project Manager Betsy Waite in the press release. “Neighbors and passersby were supportive during construction.”
City officials said an interconnected trail system expands transportation options for residents, promotes outdoor recreation, supports local businesses and can attract visitors from outside the region.
The project aligns with the city’s broader strategic goals of enhancing quality of life, connectivity and access to public spaces throughout Gainesville.