CRYSTAL BEACH, Fla. -- Forward Pinellas called the numbers "unprecedented."

Data from counters along the 47-mile Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail that stretches from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg showed 253,959 people used the trail in April, an increase of 88 percent from the same time last year.

"Lot of people -- at lot more than I'm used to," said Jack Beyer, who regularly walks the trail, about what he's noticed. "I do it really early in the morning, and I'm not used to seeing anybody, but I am now. I'm seeing a lot of early morning bikers and a lot of dog walkers. Just a lot more traffic."

"We're absolutely surprised by the amount of trail users," said Forward Pinellas Principal Planner Angela Ryan.

The increase started in March, when 232,778 bicyclists, walkers, runners, and others were counted along the trail. That was a 35 percent increase from last year. By the time April hit, events were canceled and all but essential businesses were shuttered.

"With people practicing safer-at-home and working from home, they're utilizing their extra time to do things like bike with their families on the weekends and go for runs in the afternoon," said Ryan.

"This is a real gem and a real treasure," said Beyer. "Any kind of park of cultural activity or something that could benefit a community, yeah -- it does improve your quality of life."

But such a big increase has meant certain parts of the trail can get crowded during parts of the day.

"As Pinellas County is the most densely populated county in the state, congestion on the trails is going to be a problem at times," said Ryan.

Forward Pinellas has some tips for how to enjoy the trail while taking steps to protect yourself from the virus:

First, if you're bicycling, it's recommended you go alone or in a small group of people from your household. Ride single file, which makes it easier for others on the trail to pass you while keeping their distance.

If you come to a spot on the trail where people tend to gather -- like crosswalks or a park -- stay away.

"It's our suggestion you avoid those areas, even if it means you have to take a little bit longer to cross an intersection or go to another part of the trail," said Ryan. 

Ryan also suggested waiting to use the trail until lower traffic times. She said busier times of the day tend to be around 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the spring, and then early morning and late evening in the summer.

It's also a good idea to stay up-to-date on the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and follow them and carry hand sanitizer with you when you head out on the trail.