Committee recommends Bradley Park master site plan to council, vote 4-0

The Orange Park Culture and Recreation Committee voted Feb. 11 to recommend the Bradley Park master site plan to the town council, authorizing staff to advance the design and pursue grants.

Kyle (public works staff) described the plan and the grant tie-in: the town has a $200,000 deferred-app grant plus a matching amount from the town that requires installation of a multiuse trail and a restroom. "We need to install a trail, a multi use path ... and also ... install a restroom facility," Kyle said, explaining an initial ADA-compliant path from the parking area to an adaptive kayak launch and a boardwalk over shoreline areas.

Committee members discussed surface material, staging and connections to the Doctors Lake Trail and the regional Bartram Trail. Kyle said initial surfacing could be mulch or shell rock in temporary sections and that asphalt could be phased in later; an elevated wood or composite boardwalk would cross sensitive shoreline. "An overall goal would be to get a hard surface throughout the park somehow," he said, while noting phased construction depending on future funding.

The committee approved a motion to recommend council adopt the master plan. "All those in favor say aye ... Passes 4 0," the chair announced after the voice vote.

Staff and members emphasized the plan's role in future grant applications to state agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection and transportation funding sources, and noted the plan shows connectivity to county trails that strengthens grant competitiveness.

Ending: With the 4-0 recommendation, staff will place the master site plan before the town council and pursue grants and staged construction to implement ADA access, a restroom and shoreline stabilization features.