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Zephyrhills presents parks master plan phase 2; board asks staff for cost estimates and accessibility upgrades
Summary
City staff presented the draft Phase 2 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, including possible park equipment replacements, shaded structures, and a proposed parks programming position. The board asked staff for cost estimates, ADA accessibility work, and to coordinate related CRA projects and grant applications.
City staff on June 6 walked the council and CRA board through a draft Phase 2 Parks & Recreation Master Plan that outlines equipment replacement, shaded play structures, accessibility upgrades and a proposal to hire a parks programming position.
Gail Hamilton, CRA/City staff member presenting the draft, said the plan recommends that neighborhood parks be within a 10-minute walk and that typical neighborhood park parcels be at least 2 acres. "It also calls for hiring a park person that does programming, that would go to Zephyr Park or Hercules Park on a Saturday and take equipment and get the kids engaged," Hamilton said.
Why it matters: the plan sets a 10–20 year vision for city parks, identifies equipment needs at sites including Hercules Park, Zephyr Park, Gunnar Park, Veteran's Park, Depot Park and Shepherd's Park, and prioritizes shade, seating, tree plantings and accessibility. Staff noted that some parks — notably Hercules Park — were recently improved but need updated scoring in the plan's assessment.
The plan recommends shade over playground equipment, dog waterers and bag stations at multiple parks, storage at plazas and improved electrical and lighting for events. Rep Services (a playground equipment vendor referenced by staff) provided conceptual layouts and 3D sketches for several neighborhood parks; staff emphasized these were concept illustrations and asked the board for feedback on materials and color palettes.
Public works director Shane LeBlanc provided technical background on the existing restroom at Clock Plaza and on site elevations for sewer fall; for parks, staff noted playground surfacing, concrete pads and warranty considerations for municipal equipment. Board members repeatedly asked staff to plan for ADA access ramps and ramps to playground equipment and to favor products that are durable and easy for public works to maintain after vandalism.
Funding and timing: staff said the CRA owns a downtown corner lot (38214 Fifth Avenue) and that the city advanced to the second round of a CDBG grant competition for stormwater enhancements and park development; staff said they had applied for $10.1 million in that round. Kim Horn (consultant) is at 30% construction documents for Zephyr Park and staff expects to return to present those schematics once stormwater adjustments are finalized.
Next steps: staff will return with equipment cost estimates, updated park scoring for recently completed projects, refined site drawings where required and a proposed schedule for hiring a parks programming position. Board members asked staff to include the library and school gymnasiums as community recreation assets in future drafts and to coordinate depot parking and median/entrance sign projects with CRA downtown improvements.
