Ocala, FL — Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC ("SWS"), a national law firm concentrating on Rails-to-Trails property rights, will host three complimentary informational meetings for landowners whose property adjoins the proposed FNOR Rail Trail in Marion County.
The meetings are intended to educate property owners about the proposed trail project, the federal and state processes involved in converting railroad corridors into public recreational trails, and how those projects may affect adjoining property owners.
According to public reports, community leaders have begun discussing the possibility of converting approximately 9.1 miles of inactive Florida Northern Railroad track into a public multi-use recreational trail. City officials have indicated that discussions with the railroad and other stakeholders remain ongoing as the proposal continues to be evaluated.
Understanding the History of Railroad Corridors
Many people assume that railroads own all of the land where railroad tracks are located. However, the history of railroad development throughout the United States is often much more complicated.
In many locations across the country, railroads did not purchase the land outright. Instead, they acquired only an easement that allowed trains to operate across private property.
Overtime, as rail service changes or portions of a railroad corridor become inactive, questions sometimes arise regarding the nature of the railroad's interest in the land and how those historic property interests may be affected by future uses of the corridor.
Because every railroad corridor has a unique history and every property has its own chain of title, the ownership rights associated with former railroad corridors can vary considerably from one location to another.
Scheduled Meetings
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Time: 12:00 P.M. & 4:00 P.M.
&
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Location: Workspace Collective, Main Conference Room, 217 S.E. 1st Ave. # 200, Ocala, FL 34471
Why Attend?
As communities across the country continue to explore converting former railroad corridors into recreational trails, many adjoining property owners have questions about how these projects work and what it means for their property.
The informational meetings will provide an overview of topics including:
- The history of railroad easements and rights-of-way.
- The difference between railroad ownership and railroad easements.
- How rail-trail projects are developed.
- The federal and state processes involved in railroad corridor conversions.
- Why historical deeds and property records are important.
- Common questions landowners ask when a trail is proposed near their property.
The meetings are designed to provide general educational information and will include an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the project and the legal principles that often arise when railroad corridors are converted to public recreational trails.
An Opportunity to Learn More
"As communities consider new recreational trails, it's important for adjoining landowners to understand the history of the railroad corridor and the property rights that may be involved," said Steven M. Wald, a founding member of Stewart, Wald & Smith. The meetings are educational in nature and are intended to provide an overview of the proposed project and answer general questions about railroad corridor history and the rail-trail conversion process.
There is no cost to attend the meetings, and all interested adjoining property owners are welcome.
About Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC
Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC is a national law firm devoted exclusively to matters involving railroad corridor property rights and Rails-to-Trails issues. For more than two decades, the firm has studied railroad property interests throughout the United States and has represented thousands of landowners in cases involving the conversion of railroad corridors to public recreational trails.
For additional information about the informational meetings, visit www.swslegal.com or call (314) 720-0220.
