NEWS

Blueprint moving on Lightsey Nature Park

Sean Rossman
Democrat staff writer

The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency is moving on a plan to build a 113-acre nature park in honor of former City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey.

Blueprint staff will present a preliminary concept of the Debbie Lightsey Nature Park to residents on Thursday, the third input meeting for the project. The current plan was developed by Blueprint and the local chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

The park is located along Capital Circle Southwest and roughly sits between Jackson Bluff Road and Orange Avenue. The plan involves a network of trails, several stormwater treatment facilities, wetland preservation areas, boardwalks and observation decks. The space is intended to focus on the importance of wetlands and how human activities affect the environment.

Lightsey, the longest-serving commissioner in city history, served from 1989 until she retired in 2010. The commission unanimously voted to name the site after her in 2012. Lightsey said she's been involved "off and on" with the park's development but says it's "looking great." She said it appropriately represents her time on the commission, particularly her fondness for stormwater facilities.

"I'm just thrilled that they would name this for me," she said. "It combines so many things that I worked on throughout the years."

Blueprint planning manager Autumn Calder said the agency bought the land for mitigating the impacts of the Capital Circle Southwest expansion. Blueprint has set aside $50,000 to design the park, but no current funding exists to construct it. Calder said the agency hopes money is left over from the Capital Circle Southwest improvements to fund the park. The agency has also applied for a grant.

After Thursday's meeting, Blueprint staff will present the plan to Blueprint's Citizens Advisory Committee on June 2. From there, it will be presented to the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency — which is made up of the city and Leon County commissions — at its June 20 meeting, Calder said.

If the concept plan is approved the by the Intergovernmental Agency, the project will move into the design phase.

Contact Sean Rossman atsrossman@tallahassee.com or follow@SeanRossman on Twitter.

If you go...

What: Public meeting on Debbie Lightsey Nature Park

When: Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Tallahassee Community College Center for Workforce Development, 444 Appleyard Drive. Building 38, Room 123.