City planner outlines multi-use trail to link parks, schools and businesses

Ansar Rodriguez, identified in the record as a GIS/community planner for Zephyrhills, presented a multi-use trail concept intended to connect parks, schools, businesses and downtown destinations. The proposed trail would begin at San Pasco Park, run up Austin Avenue, connect to South Avenue and Zephyr Park, continue along 8th Street through commercial corridors, and tie into existing 8-foot segments and the CRA's planned projects. "The goal with this project is to create connectivity throughout our city to connect our parks, our school, our businesses, and other key places in our community," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez described design elements including 8-foot trail widths, bollards and signage to discourage golf-cart access, and aesthetic treatments to differentiate trails from ordinary sidewalks. Councilmembers asked whether existing sidewalks would be rebuilt into trails and whether the trail could include loops to boost recreational use; Rodriguez said some existing sections would be upgraded and that loop connections and future extensions (including a potential spur to the military museum and a connection toward Dairy Road and Dade City) were under consideration.

The planner said the CRA would take over portions of the route in the south and staff suggested possible coordination with county plans for additional connections. No budget or construction timeline was read into the record at the meeting; staff indicated the project is at a planning stage and would grow from the proposed spine route.