For decades residents have considered Lower Matecumbe’s island-long bike path, first paved in 1987, their park, popular for walking, jogging and biking.  In recent years, the path (part of the State Park Heritage Trail) has deteriorated in areas, making it impossible to use. The worst areas are the area to the far south of the island - the most populated portion of Lower Matecumbe.

In 2005, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) deeded the first 50’ of the U.S. One Right of Way, bayside, the length of the island, to the Village.  The Village accepted that 50’, along with the maintenance responsibilities, including the bike path.

In October 2025 the Village Council accepted a $200,000 grant from FDOT to elevate and repair 2500’ of the bike path from approximately the Fire Station to the Scout Base, the worst area of the bike path. The Village will add a $50,000 match.

The projected cost ($250,000) of bike path improvements is in the current budget, but the work will be delayed until the current canal restoration project at the same area is finished. The contractor is using the Village 50’ for a staging area for the canal work.

State grants are funding the canal work, primarily using Florida Stewardship Grant funds.  (Sharing Stewardship funding with Village wastewater projects.)

The village awarded the culvert construction contract to LPS Contracting to install multiple 4-by-4-foot box culverts beneath numerous bayside roads and U.S. One to hydraulically connect the dead-end canals.

Long term, the village is betting on environmental improvements. Islamorada has signed a project agreement with WS Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. (WSP), to monitor the conditions of the canals before and after canal restoration.

The immediate impact for residents includes construction traffic and temporary access restrictions. And a real mess on the bike path, the Park for people on Lower Matecumbe. Everyone understands - it is a construction site, but it is also the front yard and park for residents and visitors on the island. Is a terrible mess necessary?