GAI Consultants presented the Phase 2 parks and recreation master plan to the Zephyrhills City Council on Sept. 8, summarizing a year-and-a-half planning process that included an inventory of existing parks, public input, and a recommended implementation schedule. The consultant and staff outlined near-term work already underway, short- and mid-term projects, and longer-term land-acquisition priorities.

Why it matters
The plan is intended to guide where the city spends capital funds and how it negotiates park dedications with developers as the city grows. Staff and the consultant said the objective is to increase walkable, close-to-home parks, enhance comfort and shade, expand program offerings, and prepare site-specific master plans for larger locations.

Key recommendations and actions
- Five playgrounds: Staff reported playground equipment for five parks has been ordered and installation is underway. The consultant showed preliminary graphics and said these replacements will raise park-condition scores in the inventory.
- Site-specific plans: The plan recommends site-specific master plans for Z Venue and Shepherd Park to refine designs, cost estimates and phasing; the council discussed using special events (for example, a bicentennial-related Fourth of July series) as public-input opportunities for site planning.
- Accessibility and operations: The consultant recommended an ADA transition plan and an operations-and-maintenance master plan so the city can sustain new infrastructure; council members stressed the need to keep park restrooms open during park hours and discussed lighting and surveillance to reduce vandalism.
- Land acquisition and standards: The plan suggests a city benchmark of about 2 acres for neighborhood parks where possible (to preserve unprogrammed open space), and a targeted land-acquisition map for areas lacking 10-minute walking access to parks. The presentation also recommended negotiating park dedications with developers using standardized park-site standards.
- Tree planting and sustainability: Council members proposed an annual tree-planting goal (one example discussion: plant 200 trees per year) and stressed Florida-friendly landscaping.

Public comment and council input
Residents and council members raised recurring concerns about park restrooms being locked during park hours, accessibility for elderly residents and parents, shade and hydration facilities (including dog-park watering design), and lighting and safety after dark. Tracy Mahan of the parks board asked for closer enforcement of park-hour timers and maintenance checks. Council members also suggested making a public celebration of completed playgrounds to increase public awareness.

Follow-up and next steps
Consultants and staff said they would revise the draft to incorporate clarifications requested during the meeting (including clearer wording on potential recreation-center partnerships with Pasco County and removing wording that could be misread as committing the city to a large aquatics center without a formal partnership). Staff will return with a revised plan and schedule. The council did not take a formal binding vote on the plan that night but endorsed moving forward with the near-term items already in contract and requested edits to the document.