Numerous residents and business people made suggestions about adding to and improving the offerings of Zephyrhills’ Parks and Recreation Department while attending a community workshop on May 23 at City Hall.
GAI Consultants oversaw the 90-minute-long event regarding proposed changes to the city’s master plan.
There wasn’t any formal presentation during the open-house style workshop, as its purpose was to receive input from those attending on what the public wants compared to what the city currently has in its Parks and Recreation Department, said Kristin Caborn of GAI Consultants.
Caborn has more than 24 years of parks and recreation management and planning experience, has overseen several multimillion-dollar parks and recreation projects, and provided master plan implementation and phasing plans services for public-sector clients, according to the company’s website.
Various stations were set up in City Council chambers with displays of different programs and events currently not offered by the city.
At the workshop, attendees had the opportunity to make suggestions for changes they would like to see for both adults and children by placing brightly colored dots on the displays. The displays helped gauge interest in what the public might want to see the city offer, according to Caborn.
They also had opportunities to indicate which areas of the department they would like to see more money spent.
Several other members of GAI’s staff were present at the workshop, in addition to some city officials, including City Manager William C. “Billy” Poe Jr., Planning Director Todd Vande Berg and Community Redevelopment Agency Director Gail Hamilton.
GAI has already compiled a complete inventory of the condition of the amenities at the city’s many parks.
The input from the public that was obtained at the workshop will be evaluated by GAI Consultants and presented to the city later this year, according to Caborn.
Published June 05, 2024
