The City of Ocala has installed more than 11,000 linear feet of sidewalk since October 2020. 

Ocala City Manager Sandra Wilson provided the information while addressing a business professional networking group on June 16. 

“Since October 2020, we have installed about 11,000 linear feet of sidewalk,” said Wilson. She went on to explain that downtown Ocala will soon experience another change in traffic pattern when crews begin working on additional sidewalk extensions.

Downtown Ocala sidewalks
Downtown Ocala sidewalks

“South Magnolia will have a change of traffic pattern to extend the sidewalk,” said Wilson. She estimated that construction of that sidewalk wouldn’t begin until after the holidays in January 2022. 

Sidewalks in front of Marion Theatre
Sidewalks in front of Marion Theatre on S Magnolia Avenue

Unlike many of its sister cities in Marion County, Ocala boasts thousands upon thousands of linear feet of sidewalk along city roads and through parks. 

In virtually every section of Ocala, walkways, pathways, and sidewalks allow the public to get an up-close view of this city and its beauty.

Appleton Museum sidewalks
Appleton Museum has walking paths leading up the museum and throughout its exterior

The O-Trak runs through downtown and offers runners and cyclists a chance to cross through the heart of the city.

The Osceola Trak is one of the many pathways and sidewalks that runs through downtown Ocala
The Osceola Trak is one of the many pathways and sidewalks that runs through downtown Ocala

Multiple parks around the city present great opportunities to exercise, admire local wildlife, and take in a sunrise or sunset.

Sidewalks run throughout Tuscawilla Park and Tuscawilla Art Park, with lots of wildlife to observe along the way
Sidewalks run throughout Tuscawilla Park and Tuscawilla Art Park, with lots of wildlife to observe along the way
Sholom Park is one of the many parks in Ocala that offers the public beautiful walkways, pathways, and sidewalks
Shalom Park is one of the many parks in Ocala that offers the public beautiful walkways, pathways, and sidewalks
A sunset or sunrise is only a walk away from every sidewalk in Ocala
A sunset or sunrise is only a walk away from every sidewalk in Ocala

Are there other areas in the city of Ocala where you would like to see sidewalks extended (or created)? Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

Jeremiah Delgado has lived in Florida for over 25 years, moving to the Sunshine State from Chicago, Illinois in 1999, just before his 11th birthday. While living in Winter Springs, Florida, Delgado attended...