Municipal trail proposals seek TPO support; Orange Park, Green Cove Springs and Keystone Heights present priorities

Representatives from the towns and cities presented three multi-use trail proposals to the Clay County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 10 and asked for county support on concept, inclusion on the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) priority list, and future grant applications.

Sarah Campbell of Orange Park outlined two projects: a 0.95‑mile connection between the Black Creek Trail and Doctors Lake Trail (including acquisition of a 3‑acre tract and an easement from Ascension St. Vincent’s) and a 1.9‑mile extension of Doctors Lake Trail into Duval County. She said the town has $250,000 set aside for the Milwaukee Avenue crossing but cited rising costs and two denied CDBG applications tied to area‑median income thresholds.

Green Cove Springs staff presented a proposed 8‑foot multi-use trail on State Road 16 to Spring Park and a second leg to Reynolds Park; DOT estimated approximately $650,000 for the first leg and just under $1,000,000 for the second. The city recently completed a mobility plan that identifies roughly $14M in mobility needs and has proposed a mobility fee to generate local funding to help design and build segments.

Keystone Heights requested that resurfacing Airport Road — the only entrance to the Keystone Heights Airport, which lies partly in Bradford County — remain on the TPO priority list to preserve opportunities for multi‑county funding and to partner with Bradford County if federal or state funding becomes available.

Commissioners asked technical and right‑of‑way questions, including how the proposed trails would cross the CSX rail line and Interstate 295. FDOT’s representative (as cited in the presentations) estimated roughly $2,000,000 for an interstate pedestrian crossing; presenters said much of the work requires coordination between municipalities, Clay County, FDOT, NAS Jacksonville and Duval County. Several presenters asked the board to support concept approval and TPO listing for feasibility studies and future construction funding.