Board approves grant-funded outdoor rehab track at Doctors Memorial Hospital

The Taylor County Board of County Commissioners approved a grant‑funded project to install an outdoor, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)‑compliant rehabilitation track at Doctors Memorial Hospital.

Hospital representatives said the project is funded by a Florida Department of Health grant and will not use county general funds. The track is intended for use by orthopedic and other inpatients who need space for physical therapy while also being available to the broader community; hospital staff said they expect accessible surfacing that allows wheelchairs and visitors to use the path. The presenter asked the board to endorse the schematic so engineers and designers could complete scope and surfacing decisions.

Commissioners asked whether the grant would cover county engineering time and whether the hospital would handle ongoing maintenance. Grants staff and the hospital representative said the grant will cover construction costs, and the hospital would take responsibility for maintenance. Commissioners approved the schematic and authorized staff to proceed; a motion to approve passed on voice vote.

Why it matters: the project repurposes a hospital site amenity into a therapy and community feature paid for with grant funds; commissioners said the work would add accessible outdoor therapy space for long‑stay patients and community users.

Next steps: hospital staff will finalize scope and surfacing with the chosen architect and return to the county with construction documentation. Commissioners asked staff to ensure clarity on engineer involvement and any county in‑kind time that could affect budgets.