New DeBary Trail Segment Closes Key Gap in St. Johns River to Sea Loop

Posted On: September 9, 2026

More than 100 trail enthusiasts and bicyclists celebrated the opening of a 1.3-mile trail segment during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 9. It's fitting the celebration took place in DeBary, one of only 23 official trail towns in Florida and a community built around its trail connections.

The crowd cheered as officials cut the ribbon, with cyclists lining up on their bikes ready to be among the first to ride the new pavement, which runs along Donald E. Smith Boulevard from Highbanks Road north to DeBary Plantation Road and closes an important gap in the Spring-to-Spring Trail and the larger St. Johns River to Sea Loop.

"When it comes to trails, closing a gap can matter more than the mileage itself," said Jeff Shepherd, who represented the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance. "This connection links people to homes, workplaces and outdoor recreation. Individual segments become far more valuable once they're tied into a useful regional system."

Volusia County Chair Jeff Brower and District 5 Council Member David Santiago helped mark the occasion alongside the many community and agency partners who contributed to bringing the new trail segment to completion. They recognized the value of partnerships that continue to expand recreational opportunities and strengthen connections between communities.

The project reflects collaboration across three levels of government: the Florida Department of Transportation funded the $1.23 million trail segment through its SUN Trail program, Volusia County oversaw construction, and the City of DeBary will maintain it.

Once finished, the Spring-to-Spring Trail will stretch 27.2 miles from DeLeon Springs State Park to Green Springs Park – one link in the partially completed 260-mile St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop that winds through Volusia, Flagler, Brevard, St. Johns, and Putnam counties.

Learn more about Volusia County’s growing trail system at www.volusia.org/trails.