Agenda (PDF)

Nature Centers Commission · 2026-06-11 · agenda

[Historic Thomas Center, Building A, Room 105, 302 NE 6th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601] Nature Centers Commission Meeting Agenda for June 11, 2026. The meeting includes updates on staff and Friends of Nature Parks (FoNP), financial reports, and new business items. New business includes a presentation on the Thelma Boltin Stakeholder Presentation and a WSPP Nature Park Workplan Update. The meeting also covers public and member comments, and sets the next meeting date for July 9, 2026. [Thelma Boltin Site, NE Boulevard from University Ave to 6th Street Rail Trail; case 2026-396] Thelma Boltin Site Trailhead & Sweetwater Loop Trail Alignment Development. The project aims to reimagine the site as a trailhead along the Sweetwater Trail Loop system. The reimagined site should honor the historic and cultural legacy of the location and Thelma Boltin's contributions, incorporating folk art tradition, World War II history, usable outdoor community space, stormwater improvements, and a community garden. The project will include conceptual design for two main components: Thelma Boltin Site and Sweetwater Greenway Trail Alignment. The project scope for the Thelma Boltin Site includes approximately 2.2 acres, two parcels bisected by NE 2nd Ave, option to incorporate NE 2nd Ave, Sweetwater Branch Creek ecological considerations, partially in Floodplain Zone A, maintaining community gardens, and a site survey + ecological analysis. The project scope for the Sweetwater Greenway Trail includes incorporation of a multi-use trail that follows NE Boulevard from University Ave to 6th Street Rail Trail, studying potential trail corridors, and considering creek, stormwater, parking, and accessibility. Trail construction is currently not funded. The project has an approximate $2M budget for the project site. The process involves three phases of public engagement: Initial Discovery Phase, Initial Plans + Trail Alignment Phase, and Refined Plans + Trail Alignment Phase. The Initial Discovery Phase includes site survey and ecological review. The project is currently in the Initial Discovery Phase (Spring/Summer 2026). [Various nature park locations within Gainesville, FL.; case 2026-435] Wild Spaces & Public Places Nature Park Workplan Update. The presentation outlines the WSPP Workplan, including the status of active nature park projects and trails. Active construction projects include Morningside Nature Center Farm Area Upgrades (in construction, completion Summer 2026, cost $142,000) and NE 31st Avenue Multi-use Trail (in construction, completion May 2026, cost $1,755,855.00). Projects in procurement include Alfred A. Ring Park Wildflower Garden (design completion Winter 2025, procurement Summer 2026, construction start Fall 2026, completion Spring 2027, estimated cost $95,000). Projects in planning include Sweetwater Recreational Trail (Depot Park to Sweetwater Wetlands Park) (in procurement, construction start late 2026, completion in FY28, estimated cost $4M), Bivens Arm Nature Park Boardwalk Replacement (in planning, design/permitting/procurement Summer 2026, construction start Fall 2026, completion Summer 2027, estimated cost $2.2M), Boulware Springs Revitalization (in planning, construction start TBD, duration 13 months, estimated cost $4.5M), and Morningside Nature Center Master Plan (in planning, TBD for construction start and cost).