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County hears conceptual plan for Steinhatchee coastal park, design work to be grant‑driven
Summary
County staff and a consultant presented a conceptual design for a 62‑acre coastal park near Steinhatchee, highlighting wetlands constraints (about 40 acres), roughly 17 acres of uplands and a phased, grant-driven plan that would fund design now and pursue construction grants later.
Taylor County commissioners on Feb. 17 heard a conceptual design and funding plan for a new coastal park near Steinhatchee that county staff said they hope will become a trailhead and gateway to regional trails.
Madeline, a county staff member involved in the Restore Act and grant work, told the board the county acquired a 62‑acre site and has completed design‑level studies supported by Florida boat‑improvement grants and county engineering work. Consultant John Collins said environmental surveys show roughly 40 acres of wetlands and about 17 acres of uplands, with the largest developable upland area roughly 5½ acres; after applying buffers and wetland setbacks engineers estimate about 4.5 acres of interior upland suitable for the main park footprint.
“Technically, you have 17 acres of uplands on the site,” John Collins said, and he described a phased approach that would prioritize parking, pavilions, a playground, restrooms and walking trails in phase 1, with kayak access and additional amenities added as grant funding becomes available.
Madeline emphasized the county currently has design and permitting money only. “This is for the design, engineering and permitting only,” she said, noting construction funding will require additional grant applications and that county staff will pursue opportunities to get the project shovel ready.
Public commenters and a chamber representative voiced support for the concept and its anticipated economic benefits. A chamber speaker called the project “monumental” and said it would help diversify local recreational and economic options.
The presentation identified permitting constraints: anything in the wetlands would require coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Suwannee River Water Management District; upland stormwater and parking permitting would follow normal water‑management‑district review. Consultants said board staff would prepare cost estimates for phase 1 design so the county can seek construction grants.
Next steps noted by staff included completing phase‑1 design, developing engineer’s cost estimates and coordinating grant applications; no construction dollars were allocated at the meeting.
The county opened the item for public comment and took no final construction vote; staff said they will return with design documents and associated grant applications when appropriate.
