Free meetings set for Ocala landowners near proposed FNOR rail-trail

Stewart, Wald & Smith will host three free informational meetings in Ocala next month for property owners whose land borders the proposed FNOR Rail Trail in Marion County. The sessions will explain railroad corridor history, trail conversion rules and how the project could affect adjoining property rights.

Why it matters: - The proposed FNOR Rail Trail could affect property rights for landowners next to the corridor in Marion County. - The meetings are meant to help residents understand what railroad-to-trail conversions can mean for neighboring properties before the project moves forward. - Community leaders are weighing the conversion of about 9.1 miles of inactive Florida Northern Railroad track into a public multi-use recreational trail.

What happened: - Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC will host three complimentary informational meetings for adjacent landowners in Ocala. - The meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. - The location is Workspace Collective, Main Conference Room, 217 S.E. 1st Ave. #200, Ocala, Florida 34471. - The law firm focuses on railroad corridor property rights and Rails-to-Trails issues. - The meetings are open at no cost to interested adjoining property owners.

The details: - The sessions will cover the history of railroad easements and rights-of-way. - The agenda includes the difference between railroad ownership and railroad easements. - The meetings will explain how rail-trail projects are developed. - The presentations will outline the federal and state processes involved in converting railroad corridors into trails. - The meetings will also address why historical deeds and property records matter. - Attendees will be able to ask questions about the proposed project and the legal issues that often come up in corridor conversions. - Public reports say city officials and other stakeholders are still discussing the proposal and evaluating it. - Many railroad corridors in the U.S. were not purchased outright by railroads, but were acquired through easements. - Railroad rights tied to a corridor can vary widely depending on the property’s title history.

Between the lines: - The meetings suggest local landowners may be entering a sensitive stage of the trail discussion, where title history and corridor rights could matter as much as the trail concept itself. - Stewart, Wald & Smith is using the sessions to educate owners before any final conversion decisions are made. - Steven M. Wald, a founding member of the firm, said adjoining landowners should understand the corridor’s history and the property rights involved as communities consider new recreational trails.

What's next: - Landowners can attend the meetings and raise questions about the proposed trail and related property issues. - More discussion between the railroad, city officials and other stakeholders is expected as the proposal continues to be reviewed. - More information is available at the firm's website or by calling (314) 720-0220.