OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A presentation concerning a draft of the Ocala/Marion County Active Transporation plan was made at the Ocala/Marion County Transportation and Planning Organization‘s Technical Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Kittleson & Associates’ Leyi Zhang, planner, and Jennifer Musselman, associate engineer and planner, were present at the meeting, with Zhang making the Active Transportation Plan presentation, as the consultant having worked on a draft of the plan for more than a year.
The plan’s chapters have three primary blocks–introductions and setting up that stage, introducing mission goals and objectives, and introducing the process that the consultant uses in terms of public and primary engagement while also going over some existing issues–said Zhang.
The Active Transportation Plan draft has a defined vision, goals and objectives. The vision is that Marion County will have a safe, accessible and well-connected active transportation network, which contributes to a high quality of life and economic opportunity for people of all ages and abilities, said Zhang.
The three primary goals
- Improve safety for all active transportation users.
- Create a well-connected and accessible active transportation network.
- Protect and enhance quality of life, economy and recognition as the Horse Capital of the World.
Zhang also highlighted some of the benefits the Active Transportation Plan, including livability, costs, safety and economic opportunities.
The consultant went into some technical analysis regarding the level bicycle and pedestrian traffic stress and accessibility.
The purpose for the active transportation plan is to guide investments in walking, biking, and other nonmotorized modes throughout Marion County. While the plan primarily emphasizes improvements for people walking and bicycling, it also recognizes the county’s unique equestrian heritage and the role of horses as part of the local transportation and recreation system, said Zhang.
According to Zhang, during the development of the plan, the consultant worked closely with local governments, schools, citizens, partner agencies, the FDOT and other community stakeholders during the process.
Two workshops and one open house were held during the process, with in-person workshops at Zone Fitness Locations in Ocala, and an online survey and comment map, with the survey being open from September 18, 2024, to February 25, 2025.
The existing conditions section of the plan provided an overview of the county including population growth and some needs assessments, with the analyses identifying projects for future prioritization.
The draft of the plan also looked at proposed improvements with proposed active transportation improvements being identified through a combination of technical analysis and stakeholder input, said Zhang.
Improvements and Solutions
The draft organized the proposed improvements into three categories to reflect the primary mode or facility type addressed.
- Trail improvements
- Bicycle Improvements
- Sidewalk/Shared Use Path Improvements
The draft of the plan also addresses project prioritization providing a structured, data-informed approach to identifying priority projects, and looked at the next steps, which include active transportation strategies and funding sources.
