Taylor County begins master‑planning for Steinhatchee coastal park; public asks for boardwalks, kayak access and phased build

Taylor County commissioners and staff opened a public stakeholder process on a proposed 62‑acre Steinhatchee coastal park, telling residents the site will be planned in phases and that wetlands and environmental surveys are complete.

County staff member John Holmes described field work completed for the project and asked residents what amenities they would like. "The parcel is 62 acres," Holmes said, and "based on what we're looking at, at least half of that is likely gonna be wetlands." He said the county is not proposing wetland impacts and will keep at least a 25‑foot buffer from wetlands.

The project is funded through a grant that covers design, planning and permitting; staff said they expect permitting work and environmental studies to strengthen future grant applications. County staff announced a second stakeholder meeting for Sept. 30 at the community center to gather further public input and described a phased approach for construction: initial infrastructure and park access first, with later amenities added as grant funds permit.

Residents attending the meeting urged low‑impact amenities and solutions they said would generate tourism and serve the community. "I love that you can walk through the wetlands on boardwalks to see the sunset and ... wildlife," said Danielle Norwood, identifying herself as a 30‑year Steinhatchee resident. She asked that history and habitat education be included, along with walking trails and a kayak launch.

Other speakers urged a multipurpose field or ball field, but raised concerns about maintenance capacity and budget. Justin Morrow, a resident, asked whether county staff had capacity to maintain new park acreage and suggested the county consider exchanges for higher‑ground land to serve as an emergency rally point. County staff acknowledged maintenance will depend on the type and intensity of amenities and said user fees similar to existing boat‑ramp fees could offset upkeep.

Several residents and local leaders highlighted the site's location on an established paddling corridor and urged the county to pursue state and federal trail and coastal grants. County staff listed potential funding sources discussed at the meeting, including RESTORE funding, the Coastal Partnership Initiative, greenways and trails grants, and other state programs. Melody Cox, identified earlier on the agenda as the item lead, told the board the county had requested and expected a grant deadline extension to June 30, 2026, to allow permitting to be completed before design is finalized.

Speakers also recommended a phased build: short‑term improvements such as parking, restrooms and boardwalks that require less maintenance, with future phases adding sodded multipurpose fields, amphitheater space or more formal ball‑field infrastructure should funding and community demand support them.

Commissioners and staff said they will compile public comments into a white paper and return with a master plan that identifies Phase 1 elements. No formal vote was taken on the park design at the meeting.

The county will hold the next stakeholder meeting Sept. 30 and staff encouraged residents who could not attend the evening session to submit comments to county staff for inclusion in the plan.