Military advisory committee asks Dunedin commission to request county rename 1.3-mile trail segment 'Veterans Trail'

Members of the Dunedin Military Veterans Advisory Committee asked the City Commission on Jan. 9 to place a recommendation on a future agenda asking Pinellas County to rename a 1.3-mile portion of the Pinellas Trail as "Veterans Trail."

Rob Cozen, chairman of the committee, introduced Lacey Hollings, who outlined the proposal. "We are requesting to rename a portion 1.3 miles of the Pinellas Trail between American Legion 275 and VFW 2550 as Veterans Trail to honor the service and dedication of the veterans of Pinellas County," Hollings said. She told commissioners the committee had completed due diligence and would provide the county's policy on honorary naming rights and a written proposal before the commission considers placing the item on a meeting agenda.

Hollings noted the trail is county property and the naming action requires Pinellas County Commission approval; the military advisory committee is asking Dunedin to forward a recommendation so it can move through the county process. "Now because this is county land, this has to go through the county commission," she said.

Mayor Freyne responded that staff (including staff member Vince) would receive the paperwork and prepare it for the commission's agenda process; no formal city action occurred at the Jan. 9 meeting beyond the committee's request to have the item considered for a future agenda.

The request is a preliminary step; the committee said it will provide documentation and examples of recent honorary trail namings for staff and commissioners to review ahead of any formal agenda request.