UPDATE: The Blueway Trail is a "game-changer" for cities like Lake Worth, Palm Beach County, and State of Florida as well

Update: We learned at the City Commission meeting on October 18th that an advisory committee of some sort may be considered vis-à-vis the Blueway Trail project. The City of Lake Worth has no control whatsoever over the C-51 Canal. So it will be interesting to see how this board is created, its stated task, but most importantly who is on this board and how they're chosen. Stay tuned for more about this. Continue reading to learn more about this project:

Remember, it was a vision by former City Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill to have a kayak trail from the Intracoastal to the Chain of Lakes and beyond. That dream is closer to reality.

The impact of this project, when completed, will be tremendous. From tourism, ecotourism, the marine and water-sports industry, hotel bookings. . . a true game-changer. Get excited and involved. Contact your elected leaders and let them know you support this project. The naysayers and malcontents are already at work—don't let them be your voice.

Use this link for the official Blueway Trail website. Included is a very good video explaining this project.

Below is the latest exciting information about the Blueway Trail from the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) and more information will be forthcoming.

But first, the critics of the Blueway Trail, the few out there, will be ramping up their mis- and disinformation rhetoric to all new levels of nonsense. For example, Lake Worth Commissioner Ryan Maier is suggesting manatees will be at risk, brings up salt water intrusion (the water in the C-51 Canal flows east, not west), and suggests some nearby mangroves will be at risk (more on this and a video is below).

This ridiculousness follows other debunked claims made at the Lake Worth City Commission earlier this year when the TCRPC's Kim DeLaney gave an update on the Blueway Trail. Now for the latest: the following image is the new boat lift conceptual plan. Take note of the kayak launches, boat lift, new fishing piers, and water barrier locations to protect the public (click on images to enlarge):

The current fishing piers are closed due to safety concerns. Along with a boat lift will be kayak launches for the public and eco-tourists.

Below are excerpts from the TCRPC memorandum dated September 16th, "Chain of Lakes Blueway Trail Project Consultant Agreement":

      The purpose of this item is to request Council approval to execute a new contract for professional engineering and related services for the Chain of Lakes Blueway Trail project.

[and. . .]

     For the past several years, Council has been assisting the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Palm Beach County local governments with the planning and design of a boat lift at the C-51 Canal to enable access for vessels between the “Chain of Lakes” and the Lake Worth Lagoon.

[and. . .]

     The C-51 Canal lies on the border of the cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth,
and the Chain of Lakes includes a series of inland lakes in central Palm Beach County (e.g.,
Lakes Ida, Eden, Osborne, Clarke, and Pine Lake), all of which are connected by waterways and canals. Within the C-51 Canal, a saltwater control structure, installed in the 1970s, currently prevents boating access between the two waterways. [emphasis added] 
     A preliminary analysis completed by Council on behalf of the MPO in 2015 concluded a boat lift to move motorized and nonmotorized vessels around the control structure was a feasible method to reintroduce access between the two waterways. This improvement would expand mobility, improve recreational and fishing opportunities, and provide economic enhancement in the area.

[and. . .]

     Improving access within regional waterways will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation network, expand ecotourism potential, and enhance opportunities for economic development and quality of life. The Chain of Lakes Blueway Trail project and boat lift concept for the C-51 Canal could serve as a model to enhance connectivity in other locations within the region and across the state.

Just a few of the benefits.

Note location of the S-155 Spillway in relation to Dixie and Federal highways. West Palm Beach is north and Lake Worth south of the C-51 Canal.

Now back to Commissioner Maier's claims. He was at the TCRPC meeting on September 16th and he chose to focus on some public comment. Apparently someone claimed that salt water intrusion was a risk due to this project. Just one problem. The water in the canal flows towards the Intracoastal. So unless the planet starts spinning in the opposite direction this will not be an issue.

Manatees at risk? Nonsense. Mangroves at risk? Again, nonsense. Water has been flowing past the S-155 Spillway structure since the 1970's. As far as homeowners east of the Spillway along the C-51 Canal it won't be like, "Hey, we were just thinking of putting I-95 right there" as Lake Worth Commissioner Chris McVoy, PhD, said at a City Commission meeting. It's true. He really said that.

Oh, and by the way, both commissioners Maier and McVoy may be up for re-election next year (March 14th, 2017). No word yet on what they plan to do. Enjoy the video: