James Pankenen, a project engineer with Kimley‑Horn and Associates, told the Zephyrhills City Council on July 17 that the city’s Zephyr Park plan has been revised after last year’s severe rain events to reduce future flood damage and protect core amenities.

Pankenen said the team used drone photography and on-site surveys after Tropical Storm Debbie and Hurricane Milton to map high-water limits and then adjusted grading so playgrounds, restrooms and the splash pad would sit “between 82 and 83” feet in elevation — generally a foot above the interpreted peak high-water line of about elevation 81 recorded during last year’s storms. “We had these major rain events… These caused us to take a little bit of pause,” Pankenen said, describing why the design team rechecked elevations and site grading.

The revised plan keeps the approved master-plan program — event lawn, band shell, pavilion, playground and splash pad — but shifts some elements to higher ground, adds a boardwalk that extends over the lake, clusters exercise equipment into a dedicated fitness zone and introduces a “team challenge” course aimed at older children and teenagers. Pankenen said the splash pad will be located near existing utility infrastructure to reduce underground rebuilds and remain “close” to its current location.

Why it matters: Zephyrhills leaders said moving structures above last year’s peak waterline is intended to reduce repetitive repair costs and keep restrooms, playground equipment and the splash pad usable after storm events. City staff also said the redesign must preserve or increase the park’s overall stormwater capacity so nearby properties are not exposed to worse flooding.

What the design does and how it responds to flooding

- Grading and elevations: The consultant team traced an interpreted peak high‑water line after multiple storms and regraded portions of the lake and park so built features would sit at higher finished-floor elevations (generally 82–83) while creating floodable landscape areas designed to accept periodic inundation without structural damage.

- Boardwalk and viewing features: The plan adds a raised boardwalk across the northeastern lake to provide vistas and a walking route above typical flood levels. Council members and staff discussed making the boardwalk of composite materials so it resists rot and requires less maintenance.

- Playground, splash pad and challenge course: Play elements were shifted slightly to take advantage of existing utilities and higher ground; the design team proposed a “team challenge”/“ninja‑style” course to attract older children and teens.

- Event lawn and band shell: The band shell will be relocated toward the park’s event lawn on the park’s southeast side, with the performance side facing the lake.

Engineering, hydrology and coordination with Pasco County

Dustin Ballard, a civil engineer with Kimley‑Horn, told the council that digging deeper into the lake below the seasonal groundwater high does not increase water-storage capacity and that any earthwork adding elevation in one place requires compensating volume elsewhere so the park does not reduce overall flood capacity. “If we dig underneath that seasonal high, it doesn’t matter. That water stays there,” Ballard said.

Shane LeBlanc, the city’s public works director, said the city is working with Pasco County to increase the outfall capacity under C Avenue; he said the county intends to engineer a larger culvert, from the current pipe up to a 6‑foot by 12‑foot culvert, to speed outflow and reduce the park’s flood exposure. “That would change everything on this site as far as flooding,” LeBlanc said.

Budget, schedule and next steps

City staff said the project is at roughly 30 percent design after the revisions. The next step is to select a construction‑manager-at‑risk (CMAR) to refine prices for earthwork, playgrounds and structures; staff said they are about to advertise for that contract.

On funding, staff reported a combination of state appropriations, a targeted Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) request and local funds tied to a previously designated nursing‑home account. City staff said the package includes roughly $3.2 million in state appropriations and an application for $10 million in CDBG funds; a city staff number for a local nursing‑home fund was given in the meeting as about $3.36 million. Staff said, if paired with successful CDBG funding, those sources could approach about $16 million toward park construction. City staff noted remaining gaps and said final scope and phasing will depend on firm CMAR pricing and grant awards.

Operational and safety details raised by councilmembers

Councilmembers and staff discussed sightlines, a perimeter containment for the splash pad to limit children running directly into the lake, the need for bathroom and finished‑floor elevations above last year’s high water, and how to preserve mature trees while improving parking. The council asked staff to consider permeable or grid‑style stabilized parking near the nursing home to protect roots and the park aesthetic. Several councilmembers urged including multi‑use lawn space for activities such as yoga.

Evidence and next meetings

Staff said they will continue coordination with Pasco County on the C Avenue culvert and will present a financing plan from the city’s financial adviser, Jeff Larson, at an upcoming council meeting. Pankenen and Dustin Ballard will return with updated cost estimates after the selected CMAR refines earthwork and construction pricing.

Ending

City staff closed the session by asking councilmembers to send any follow-up questions to staff so the consultants can produce additional details. No formal vote or final project authorization occurred at the July 17 presentation; staff said the council will see additional financing and procurement items in subsequent meetings.