More About Groveland
Groveland is a growing city, Located within the Orlando metropolitan area, the city’s population has been on the rise since the 2000’s, due in part to significant annexation: from 1990 to 2010, the population grew from 2,300 to 8,729; currently at 21,000 and by 2040, it is expected to grow to 48,717. With direct access to Florida’s Turnpike as well as US Highway 20, along with several State roads, the City has the transportation network to attract major employers, indicating substantial growth in future commercial, office, and industrial development as well.
The City’s Strategic Plan was adopted in June 2022. The plan outlines the values, vision, and priorities of the City for the next ten years. The mission Statement sets the foundation for the plan: “The City of Groveland is an ecosystem intentionally connecting safety service, and innovation to support a vibrant welcoming community with natural charm”. The word ‘ecosystem’ was intentionally chosen. A city should function by mimicking nature—a working system where each part is interconnected and interdependent on the other. Connectivity is one of the five core values. We value our connection with nature and with each other. Relationship- building, complete and walkable communities, park and trail systems, and mobility systems are examples for how we enhance our connectivity. A main objective of the plan is to prioritize, phase, and implement the projects in the Parks and Trails Master Plan, as well as include and prioritize nature preserves and connecting Groveland’s trails to the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail.
Currently, there are about 30 miles combined of potential bicycle/ pedestrian pathways in the City. Proposed bicycle pathways are shown on the City’s Future Transportation Map. Many local and state organizations have identified the regional and statewide need to extend the South Lake Trail from Silver Eagle Road in Groveland to the Van Fleet Trail in Sumter County and beyond. All trail segments are part of the Central Florida Coast-to- Coast Trail project, which involves the construction of regional trail segments and the filling in of gaps in the trail system to connect a corridor from the Cape Canaveral Seashore west to St. Petersburg. Groveland is the central location of this statewide project.
The City is actively working to enhance trail connections in the City to provide more recreational opportunities, offer alternative and environmentally conscious modes of transportation, and to allow people to connect with the great outdoors.
Come with us as we explore all the ways to cycle in Groveland through events supported by Bike Florida!
