On one of the coldest days on record in January of 1981 seventy five people gathered to form what would become the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Trail Association. Officially chartered in August the same year, the Suncoast Chapter now serves a seven county area in west central and southwest Florida. With more than 700 members it is the FTA’s largest chapter.

Active members lead and participate in many activities, including a yearly clam bake, the popular Sunday morning Exercise Walk at Lettuce Lake Park, and the long running annual Stone Soup gathering each January. The chapter regularly maintains over 200 miles of trail and offers recreational events throughout the region.