The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Fort De Soto Park: A recreation destination

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The Tampa Bay area has all sorts of places to escape and feel like you’re on vacation without having to drive very far or fly off somewhere.

A fisherman in Mullet Key Bayou in Fort De Soto Park is so intent on his task he doesn’t seem to know that two kayakers are sliding past him. (Karen Haymon Long)

And, when you get company from afar, there’s always someplace wonderful like Fort De Soto Park to take them. Here, all in one place, are a world-class beach, views of both the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, two fishing piers, boat launches, a historic fort, a ferry ride to Egmont Key, nature trails, kayak rentals, picnic shelters and the chance to see dolphins, manatees and more than 300 species of birds.

If you like to camp, the park – Pinellas County’s largest, with 1,136 acres – offers 238 camp sites for tents, pop-ups and RVs.

When my niece, Katie, visited recently from Georgia, we spent the day at the park soaking up sun, touring the fort and its museum, and strolling on Gulf Pier, where we saw five dolphins leaping from green, choppy water.

I had promised she’d see dolphins around the pier, attracted by thousands of tiny bait fish that always seem to be around.

A British rapid-fire rifle, built in 1890, once protected Egmont Key when it was home to Fort Dade and was later moved to Fort De Soto so more people could see it. The fort within Fort De Soto Park is open to the public.

And, there they were, cruising close to the pier and arching out of the water in pairs – perfect for a picture she sent to her mom.

All sorts of fishermen – from regulars with their wheeled carts overflowing with fishing gear to sunburned tourists – try their luck on the 1,000-foot-long pier, so it’s a good place to people watch.

A friendly fisherman, obviously a regular, helped us spot dolphins, while a younger man, who looked like a spring-breaker, hung his rod over the railing, trying hard to catch bait fish clustered under the pier. A cheering section – probably his family – rooted him on.

We saw all sorts of birds that day – seagulls soaring over the pier, pelicans in the bayou fronting the campgrounds, great blue herons and snowy egrets keeping watch at the beaches and curlews, which we call “chickens,” pecking around the camping and picnic grounds.

At the campground, we watched a man fishing in Mullet Key Bayou, water up to his thighs, oblivious to kayakers slipping silently behind him. Many sites line the bayou, with open views of water. We liked the fact that tents – which we prefer – and smaller pop-ups have their own area, separate from spots that allow RVs, which are known to run noisy generators, even at night.

Campers with dogs have yet another area – far from campers who prefer to travel without pets. The opposite was true at Jonathan Dickinson State Park on the east coast when we visited recently. Giant RVs overshadowed tiny tents and lots of campers had dogs in the campground we saw.

The Gulf Pier in Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County is a great place to fish, and to see dolphins and freighters heading out into the Gulf of Mexico. In the background is Egmont Key and its lighthouse. A ferry from the park goes out to Egmont Key.

Fort De Soto’s campsites also offer lots more shade: most are nestled among trees that provide a natural barrier between sites. Bathhouses – some recently updated – were clean on our visit. A camp store sells everything from food to camping supplies and Florida souvenirs.

And, it’s a bargain to camp there at right around $40 a night for tent or RV.

A walking, biking trail leads to the boat launch area, with 11 floating docks, where we saw kayakers heading out for a ride. The trail also goes to the beach, and to the Gulf and Bay piers, the fort, picnic areas and shelters, and to a concession/snack bar/souvenir shop next to the fort.

After checking it out, we decided to eat there, since it would have taken too much time away from the park to drive to eat lunch somewhere else. We were happily surprised to find that the food was very good – fresh and cooked right there by a short-order cook. And, the price was good, under $10, for an excellent Caesar salad with grilled chicken. We ate at picnic tables just outside the concession with mostly British tourists on holiday.

It was an easy stroll to the fort, built in the late 1800s to protect the Tampa Bay area during the Spanish-American War. We walked around the remaining fortifications and studied the two British rapid-fire rifles built in 1890 that once protected Egmont Key, when it was home to Fort Dade and later moved to Fort De Soto so more people could see them.

Many campsites at Fort DeSoto Park face Mullet Key Bayou, making them perfect for launching kayaks. Some campers head out just before sunset to watch the sun go down and the sky light up.

And, we checked out the last four 12-inch M 1890-MI mortars remaining in North America. The only others are in the Philippines. Surprisingly, very little signage – or historical information – is available at the fort. But, we later discovered a free history museum that offers all sorts of information about the fort in a building next to the Gulf Pier’s parking lot.

A park brochure online at PinellasCounty.org (select Fort De Soto Park) also features a historic walking tour of the fort with pictures and lots of good information.

It’s best to go the museum, or check out the brochure, before visiting the fort. We wish we had.

The park’s beach is among the best in the country, with powdery white sand, and on weekdays there are large areas with few people.

Fort De Soto Park – Pinellas County’s largest park – boasts one of America’s best beaches. It’s not even overcrowded on some weekdays.

The beach deserves its accolades. Stephen Leatherman, known as Dr. Beach, crowned Fort De Soto’s beach as No. 1 in the nation in 2008 and as one of America’s best in 2005. (He never picks the same beach for the top spot more than once). And, Trip Advisor, the popular online travel site, picked it as the nation’s top beach in 2009.

Two designated swim centers – East Beach and North Beach – have plenty of parking, picnic shelters, restrooms, showers and playgrounds. A dog beach area is between the Gulf and Bay piers.

On the beach, a warm breeze blew softly and white billowy clouds danced across a clear blue sky. Sea oats sprung from the sand and kids played under royal blue beach umbrellas. It was a picture postcard day in Florida.

We had one more nice surprise before heading home. We drove south along the beach, past the giant American flag near the park entrance station, and at the end of the road saw kite-boarders soaring above the water, their colorful kites against the sky with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge looming behind them.

It was windy, the perfect day to fly. And, their pleasure was ours.

TIPS FOR THE TRIP
How to get there: Fort De Soto Park is at 3500 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde. From St. Petersburg, take I-275 south, then exit 17 onto Pinellas Bayway/FL 682 west. After 3 miles, turn left onto Pinellas Bayway (FL 679). Go 6.6 miles to the park. Park entrance is $5.

For information on the park, maps, camping and picnic shelter reservations, see PinellasCounty.org/parks, and choose Fort De Soto Park. For reservations for the ferry to Egmont Key, call (727) 398-6577.

Where to eat: We liked the concession snack shop next to the fort in the park. On another visit, we enjoyed lunch close to the park at the Island Grille & Raw Bar, 210 Madonna Blvd., Tierra Verde. It has good seafood, friendly service and a signature marlin mounted over the entrance.

See IslandRawBar.com.

Fun fact: The park stretches over five keys: Mullet Key, St. Jean Key, St. Christopher Key, Madelaine Key and Bonne Fortune Key.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published June 21, 2017

Pasco gives boost to community gardening

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Pasco County could soon be the first in the state with a countywide ordinance to permit residents to grow community gardens.

The proposed ordinance also would be the first countywide ordinance of its kind for Pasco.

At a June 6 Pasco County Commission meeting in Dade City, county staff members explained what a community garden is and how it would operate.

More community gardens could result if Pasco County adopts a new ordinance intended to make it easier for a community to create a garden. Shown here, marigolds fill the foreground as Judy Curran checks the variety of plants, vegetables and flowers planted in the gardens of the New River Library. (File)

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the proposed ordinance at a July 11 meeting in New Port Richey.

“This not only helps our agriculture in Pasco County, but this could be a big tourism thing, too,” said County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “There are so many cool benefits this can bring.”

Community gardens are gardens where crops and ornamental plants, including flowers, are grown and harvested, as described in the proposed ordinance.

Daily vehicle trips to tend the gardens generally are more than 14 per day but less than 100, with limited use of heavy vehicles, the county estimates.

Community gardens may be any size.

Applications will provide information such as location, operating hours, the number of parking spaces and a designated garden manager.

Members of the Pasco County Food Policy Advisory Council spent about two years discussing and gathering public opinions on community gardens before submitting the ordinance for review.

The council is one of only three in the state.

“It’s really exciting to see it really coming together,” said Travis Morehead, the council’s chairman. “I think we have something here that is very powerful.”

Three to four community garden requests have been stalled because the county didn’t have a process for community gardens to take root through the permit process.

A permit process would be an easier and less expensive route than having to rezone property to allow the gardens, Morehead said.

Some community gardens already are flourishing, including ones in New Port Richey, which approved a city ordinance. In 2016, a community garden sprouted on land owned by Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

The Pasco County Extension Office has discussed a community garden as part of its proposal to relocate from the Pasco County fairgrounds to the Stallings Building in downtown Dade City.

The proposed ordinance also defines other types of gardens.

For instance, a market garden primarily sells and buys produce grown on-site or off-site, and is less than 5 acres.

Dwarf Fire bush blooms in the garden add color to the greenery in front of the New River Library in Zephyrhills.

A community farm grows produce, including fruits, vegetables and other edibles, for sale off-site. Farms may be any size.

Discussion on community gardens in Pasco began several years ago.

A master marketing and redevelopment plan for The Harbors district in west Pasco included community gardens and the concept for a food policy council.

Starkey also gives credit to another community movement.

“The food policy council’s history began with emails from residents who wanted to have backyard chickens,” she said.

She is a proponent of permitting the backyard fowl, but no ordinance has been drafted as yet.

The emails and community activism led to discussion of how to use public space and Starkey said, “All these people came out of the woodwork to start the food policy council. This is just the first ordinance that has come out of the council.”

Published June 14, 2017

They’re off to learn the ins and outs of leadership

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While some kids are heading to the beach or to a theme park this summer, a trio of girls who just wrapped up fifth grade at Lutz Elementary are gearing up for a trip to Washington D.C.

Kylie Flynn, Kaitlyn Britton and Alice Mooneyham will be participating in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference.

The students were nominated by their former teacher, Cindy Morrissey.

The girls can’t wait to check out the nation’s capital.

This trio of girls are heading to Washington D.C., to find out a few things about leadership. They are, from left, Alice Mooneyham, Kaitlyn Britton and Kylie Flynn. They’ll be participating in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. (B.C. Manion)

“I’ve never been to Washington D.C., and I’ve wanted to go there,” said Alice, who is 11. “I think it’s going to be a really cool experience.”

Eleven-year-old Kaitlynn shares her enthusiasm.

“It’s going to be fun. My sister went in eighth grade. She got a lot of really cool photos. It was really pretty there.”

Plus, Kaitlyn added: “It will be fun to learn all about the statues.”

Ten-year-old Kylie is eager to make the trip, too.

“I can’t wait for the experiences to go to the different places,” she said. “I was really happy that I was nominated.”

Alice is particularly interested in visiting the Lincoln Memorial, while Kylie is looking forward to visiting Harper’s Ferry. Kaitlyn is looking forward to an activity-packed schedule.

“There’s going to be a lot of stuff to do in the day,” Kaitlyn said. “You’ll get to learn the history behind the monuments.”

The conference includes sessions on leadership traits and historic topics, as well as visits to national memorials, museums and a sleepover at the Maryland Science Center, amid mummies, dinosaurs and space exhibits.

Kaitlyn thinks the conference will be a good experience, but she’s not sure if it will help her with her future career. She wants to be a chiropractor when she grows up.

Alice wants to be a teacher.

Kylie wants to be a teacher, too. But, she said: “If that doesn’t work out, I want to be a lawyer. I want to be a lawyer that helps people get custody of their kids.”

Both Kylie and Kaitlyn live in Lutz, and Alice just moved from Lutz to Land O’ Lakes.

Kaitlyn will be attending Terrace Community Middle School in Temple Terrace. Kylie will be attending Buchanan Middle School in Tampa, and Alice will be attending Cypress Creek Middle High in Wesley Chapel.

Alice’s mom, Michelle Milone, is thrilled that Alice was nominated for the program.

“All three of you should be so super-duper proud of yourselves,” Milone told the girls, during a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

“I think it’s really, really great,” Milone said.

“When I was in high school, I went to something called GHP, the governor’s honors program. It was paid for by the state. It was a big deal. I learned a lot.

“I went to law camp, one year,” she added. “I went to Spanish camp.”

“I met people. I learned things,” Milone said. She’s glad the girls can take advantage of this opportunity.

Like Milone, Andrea and Kiel Flynn are delighted that the girls were nominated.

They estimated the conference cost for each of the girls to be around $3,000, and that doesn’t count the expenses that Flynn, Milone or Dave and Melissa Britton will incur because they’ll be on their own.

While it’s pricey, Milone and Flynn think its worthwhile because they believe the experience will have a lasting impression.

Published June 14, 2017

Respecting ‘Old Glory’ throughout the year

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While the nation sets aside June 14 to celebrate Flag Day, a local group of U.S. Marine Corps veterans wants to honor local residents and business owners who respect Old Glory every day of the year.

The Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 has established the American Patriot Award to do just that.

A local group wants to honor residents and businesses who fly Old Glory all year long, not just for special occasions such as Flag Day, June 14, Memorial Day or Veterans Day. The Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 has established the American Patriot Award to show appreciation to those who truly respect Old Glory. (File)

The group, which meets in Land O’ Lakes, recognizes that it takes time and care to properly maintain the flag, and it already has bestowed awards to selected individuals and business owners in northern Hillsborough County and Central Pasco County.

The award goes to the business or resident/homeowner displaying the American Flag in new or like-new condition and must be visible, day or night.

So far, more than 100 awards have been presented, said L. David Kirk, the detachment’s commandant.

“We’re getting such reception from this, you won’t believe it,” Kirk said.

He said he received a call from an Army veteran in Land O’ Lakes who said the award “lifted his spirits” and that a widow of a veteran who lives in Oakstead broke into tears when she received the award.

“The businesses like it, too. They’ve been flying a flag all along, religiously,” Kirk said. They appreciate the recognition.

To nominate your business or residence for an award, send your request to .

To find out more about the group, call L. David Kirk at (813) 956-2469.

To see a list of the recipients, visit Marine4Ever.com, or check the organization’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MarineForeverDetachment1440MarineCorpsLeague.

NOTE:
Flag day was established officially by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916, according to the website USFlag.org.

Although Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson’s proclamation, it wasn’t until Aug. 3, 1949 that President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day.

Published June 14, 2017

In the Loop wants more hours, live music

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Owners of In the Loop Brewing want to expand the hours of operation and bring live music performances to their outdoor beer garden.

It’s about staying competitive in the local market and building on their success, they say.

Members of the Pasco County Planning Commission approved both requests at its June 7 meeting in New Port Richey.

In the Loop Brewing owners Mark Pizzurro, left, Peter Abreut and Joe Traina stand by the outdoor serving window at their Land O’ Lakes brewery.

The Pasco County Commission, which has the final word, is likely to consider the matter at its July 11 meeting in New Port Richey.

In the Loop opened in 2016 at 3338 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in a restored two-story home, with an on-site brewery, tap and tasting room. A landscaped beer garden, with a deck, overlooks Lake Padgett and its lakefront residences.

As approved by the planning commission, In the Loop could operate from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Live music would be allowed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday; and, from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Noise levels which currently apply to recorded music would remain the same, and also would apply to live music. Those levels are equivalent to conversational speech, background music or an air conditioner, according to comparative decibel charts.

“We want to be able to offer the same hours of other breweries,” said In the Loop co-owner Joe Traina.

The live music would be “acoustic guitar playing” – typically on weekends – that suits the relaxed atmosphere of In the Loop, he added.

“We want to be good neighbors,” Traina said.

A wooden deck in the beer garden of In the Loop Brewing overlooks Lake Padgett.

County staff members had recommended an increase in operating hours, but not as many as the planning commission.

County staff recommended against live music.

No one spoke against the proposal at the June 7 public hearing.

In the Loop started with a friendship and a home-brewing hobby in a garage on Cherbourg Loop.

In 2016, Traina, Mark Pizzurro and Peter Abreut took the leap and opened their brewery.

Traina said they want In the Loop to be a catalyst for redevelopment in Land O’ Lakes, along U.S. 41.

“We want a nice, classy place like in Seminole Heights, in Tampa,” Traina said.

In the Loop is a destination on beer bus tours organized by Tampa Bay Brewing Tours, with headquarters on Florida Avenue in the Seminole Heights’ neighborhood.

Yoga classes are held every other Sunday in the beer garden.

Chambers of commerce and other organizations want to use the business for breakfasts, parties and special events, Traina said. Current operating hours can’t accommodate that, he said.

At present, In the Loop is closed on Monday and Tuesday. It opens at 4 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday, and, at noon on Sunday. Current closing times are 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Published June 14, 2017

Guv’na incumbent looks to defend ‘sash’

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With three weeks remaining in the Lutz Guv’na race, incumbent candidate Greg Gilbert is looking to defend the ‘sash.’

Gilbert, the managing owner of Beef O’ Brady’s in Lutz, became last year’s honorary mayor of Lutz, raising more than $1,500.

But, with two formidable challengers this year — Jessica Sherman, of Pinch A Penny, and Kori Rankin, of Kori Rankin Photography — winning again won’t likely come easy, he admits.

Gilbert readies to toss a cow patty, during last month’s Lutz Guv’na Debate, at the Old Lutz School. (Kevin Weiss)

“Those girls seem very impressive with being involved with the community, so I don’t feel like I have any advantage over anybody,” Gilbert said. “I think it’s all going to be work, work, work to stay in the race.”

Gilbert and his family moved to Spring Hill in 2013.

Before moving to Florida, he spent 20-plus years in Michigan working as a general manager for both T.G.I. Fridays and Ruby Tuesday.

Though he doesn’t live in Lutz, Gilbert has tried to ingrain himself within the area, since taking over the local restaurant in December 2015.

“I know most of the regulars now; I’ve been out in the community a little bit more,” he said.

Gilbert decided to re-enter the Guv’na race to provide “a challenge” to the other contenders.

“It’s all for fun, so I thought it’d be a fun thing to do,” Gilbert said. “Last year I was afraid to do it, because I am not the public speaker kind of guy, and I had enough fun last year that I thought I’d try again.”

He’s stayed busy on the campaign trail, organizing various donations and raffles.

He also plans to host a classic car show July 1, and designate a percent of restaurant sales to the Guv’na campaign.

While he didn’t win the May 20 Guv’na debate, Gilbert arguably had the top slogan: “Hang up your boots in Lutz.”

Last year’s slogan — “Beef it up at Brady’s” — was equally catchy.

Additionally, many of Gilbert’s platform answers during the tongue-in-cheek event still resonate.

The Guv’na hopeful advocated for a motorcycle ban in Lutz, to make roads safer and less noisy. He, too, endeared himself to the women of Lutz by proposing free massages “at least once a week.”

“The first year I spent a couple days thinking about the things I wanted to say, and then this year it seemed to have come a little bit faster and easier,” Gilbert said of his debate answers.

Greg Gilbert is the incumbent candidate for the annual Lutz Guv’na race. Gilbert is the managing owner of Beef O’ Brady’s, 18421 N. U.S. 41 in Lutz.

When he’s not working or dedicating time to fundraising efforts, the Guv’na incumbent has a passion for brainteasers — he previously described himself as a “crossword and Sudoku junkie.”

No matter the outcome of this year’s Guv’na race, Gilbert is just content to raise money for a good cause.

“I’ll be happy with whoever wins, I really will,” he said.

The Guv’na race continues through the Fourth of July weekend.

The winner will be announced after the community’s traditional parade.

The annual charity event— which started in 1991— is sponsored by the Lutz Civic Association, and benefits about 20 local causes, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Old Lutz School and the Friends of the Library.

More than $100,000 has been raised in the past decade alone.

The winner of the Guv’na race may also earmark 10 percent of what they raise to the organization of their choice.

If you’d like to contribute to Gilbert’s campaign, visit Beef ’O’ Brady’s Lutz, or call (813) 909-2300.

Published June 14, 2017

Lutz robotics team ranks eighth at international event

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The Lutz-based Trinity Dragons ended the robotics season on a high note, with another top-10 showing at worlds.

Team 6430 ranked eighth among more than 500 teams, during the 2017 VEX World Competition in Louisville, Kentucky; they finished ninth last year.

The Lutz-based Trinity Dragons Team 6430 finished eighth among more than 500 teams, during the 2017 VEX World Competition in Louisville, Kentucky. (Courtesy of Ray Carr)

They also earned the Teamwork Award in the event’s Research Division, and were recognized as competition finalists.

The world championships, at the Kentucky Exposition Center, drew over 16,000 participants from across 37 nations; it marks the fourth consecutive season Team 6430 has received an invitation.

Throughout the weeklong event, Team 6430 joined forces with clubs from Galveston, Texas; Glen Allen, Virginia; Carrollton, Georgia; and Sichaun, China.

The VEX robotics challenge, titled “Starstruck,” is played on a 12-by-12 square field, in which two alliances consisting of two robotics teams each, square off in matches comprising of a 15-fifteen second autonomous period, followed by 1 minute and 45 seconds of driver-controlled play.

The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing alliance by having each robot place “stars” and “cubes” in designated zones, and remotely hang robots onto a hanging pole.

It otherwise was a fruitful 2016-2017 robotics campaign for the local club.

Team 6430 won the Florida State High School VEX Robotics Championship in February, outscoring 56 other high school teams at the Florida State Fairgrounds; the team also went undefeated in each of its regular season tournaments.

And, at one point this season, Team 6430 ranked fourth internationally, of 8,500 teams worldwide, in autonomous programming skills.

Next year’s VEX robotics challenge, titled “In The Zone,” requires robots to essentially stack as many “cones” as possible.

The Trinity Dragons, coached by Ray Carr, was formed about six years ago.

The team is sponsored by Occam Technology Group, Pharmaworks and Broten Garage Doors.

Published June 14, 2017

Pasco names new assistant county administrator

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The Pasco County Commission has named Kevin Guthrie as an assistant county administrator for public safety.

The appointment took effect on June 12, and Guthrie will receive an annual salary of $135,000.

Guthrie had been serving as the county’s emergency services director.

Pasco County Assistant County Administrator for Public Safety Kevin Guthrie (File)

Commissioners promoted Guthrie during their June 6 meeting in Dade City, acting on a recommendation by County Administrator Dan Biles.

Since 2015, Pasco County Fire Chief Scott Cassin has served as acting assistant county administrator for public safety. Cassin now will return full-time to his position as fire chief.

Pasco County Emergency Manager Laura Black will be in charge of the Division of Emergency Management during non-disaster operations. Capt. Dan Olds, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, will lead the Division of Public Safety Communications.

Former Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker hired Guthrie in 2016 as the county’s emergency management director. Within months, he was promoted to emergency services director.

“I’m excited about what we’ve accomplished in the emergency services department over the past year, and I look forward to leading the entire public safety team,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie served for 24 years as a law enforcement officer for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in Duval County. He also served seven years as emergency preparedness coordinator.

He retired from law enforcement, but was Flagler County’s emergency management director for three years before his hire in Pasco.

Published June 14, 2017

Quail Hollow vote delayed again

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The Pasco County Commission agreed to a third delay on a vote regarding a proposal to redevelop the land occupied by the Quail Hollow Golf Course.

Commissioners agreed to the delay at the request of representatives of the golf course’s owner, who would like all five commissioners to be present when the vote is taken on the proposal to build houses on the golf course land.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey (File)

Andre Carollo, of Pasco Office Park LLC, wants to close the unprofitable golf course and build up to 400 single-family houses, 30,000 square feet of office/retail and 10,000 square feet of day care.

Commissioners had been scheduled to consider the issue on June 6. Now, they are set to consider it on July 11, at 1:30 p.m., at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City.

The absence of Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells was known in advance. He announced in May that he would not be attending the June meeting.

As the June 6 meeting got underway, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she would have to leave early for an appointment, and might not be present for the entire meeting.

The proposed project has met stiff resistance from Quail Hollow residents who have expressed concerns about issues such as flooding, water quality and property values. They also worry about increased traffic that the development would generate on roads they already deem as being inadequate.

Opponents have hired an attorney, and a court reporter has been at meetings to document the proceedings.

The golf course owner’s attorney, Barbara Wilhite, has highlighted the owner’s property rights, and has detailed changes to the proposed development to address flooding and traffic concerns.

Published June 14, 2017

A theme park without a roller coaster?

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Check out Dinosaur World

There’s something about dinosaurs that captures the human imagination. Perhaps that’s why, in a time when many theme parks beckon their guests with towering roller coasters and thrill rides, Dinosaur World reels them in with a pair of life-size Tyrannosaurus rex sculptures looming off the north shoulder of Interstate 4, near Plant City.

Visitors to Dinosaur World on the outskirts of Plant City find themselves surrounded by towering dinosaur statues as soon as they set foot in the park. There are more than 200 sculptures on the 20-acre property, according to park staff. (Susan Green)

The T-rexes don’t move or roar, and neither do the 200 or so life-size dinosaur statues inside the park. But, for thousands of dinosaur fans who visit the park each year, they certainly do enthrall.

Myrta Figueroa, of Tampa, is one of the many passing motorists who just couldn’t pass up the chance to peek behind the walls of Dinosaur World. After three years of eyeing the imposing display from the highway, she decided to take her 4-year-old grandson, Ethan Ortiz, who is already a bit of a dinosaur expert, to see the park.

As soon as the pair stepped inside on a sunny spring afternoon, they found themselves surrounded by life-size replicas of prehistoric beasts. Without even glancing at the identification signs in front of each statue, Ethan began rattling off the dinosaur names to his grandmother.

“My favorite dinosaur is the T-rex,” the preschooler declared, uttering a preference that would be echoed over and over by young visitors interviewed at Dinosaur World on the same day. For Ethan, though, it wasn’t a totally unwavering decision.

“I like the T-rex,” he said, then whirled and pointed at one dinosaur replica after another, meat- and plant-eaters alike, “and that one, and that one, and that one, and that one.”

Just as enthusiastic were Isaiah, 11, Elijah, 3, and Noah, 2, who were visiting Dinosaur World with their parents, Aracely and Bobby Chavarria of Dallas, Texas. Aracely said the family was happy to take a break from the Walt Disney World trip that had brought them to Central Florida on vacation.

The T-rex sculptures at Dinosaur World may look fearsome, but they’re actually formed from fiberglass, putty and concrete, according to park staff.

“We actually went to Disney World, and we didn’t like it that much,” she said, noting that the lines were so long at Florida’s best-known theme park that her sons were able to experience only two rides. When the family saw the giant roadside dinosaur statues between Orlando and Tampa, they decided to give Dinosaur World a try.

“They love dinosaurs,” Aracely said of her sons. “They’re having a blast.”

Dinosaur World is the brainchild of Christer Svensson and his family, who had been frequent winter visitors to the area from Sweden before developing the park. In 1997, the Svenssons bought the swampy site where Dinosaur World is located with plans to develop the dinosaur-themed attraction, according to published reports.

Prehistoric dinosaurs never traversed this spot – or any place in Florida, which was underwater when the giant reptiles roamed the earth. But, the lush acreage of ferns and palm trees once teemed with alligators, widely considered living relics of the dinosaur age. The alligators were part of a tourist attraction known as Gator Jungle that previously occupied the property.

Noah Chavarria, 2, of Dallas, Texas, poses for a photo in the mouth of a meticulously sculpted head of a Tyrannosaurus rex, the boy’s favorite dinosaur.

Gator Jungle had been closed for years, but hundreds of alligators still roamed the property until shortly before Dinosaur World opened in late 1998, said Angelica Roque, the park’s assistant manager. Over the years, she said, adjacent land purchases have brought the size of the park to 20 acres, to make room for more and more dinosaur statues crafted from fiberglass, putty and concrete.

The park features a lengthy walking path lined with replicas of dinosaurs, many accompanied by signs detailing where the species’ fossils were discovered. The park also includes a large sand pit where children can dig for fossils and another sandy expanse dubbed the “Boneyard,” where they can dig to expose the skeleton of a dinosaur buried in the sand.

In the Exploration Cave, visitors can listen to tour guides describe the painstaking methods that paleontologists use to uncover and preserve the remnants of dinosaurs that are often millions of years old. In addition, there’s a walkway called “Mammoths, Giants of the Ice Age” that includes several statues and educational information about the prehistoric elephant-like beasts that once inhabited the forests of Florida.

There’s also a museum with exhibits of authentic relics discovered by paleontologists, including oviraptor eggs, a woolly mammoth’s teeth and a triceratops toe.

And, just for fun, there’s a dinosaur-themed playground and a mock mining sluice where guests can try their luck at panning for gemstones.

Families with small children are among the biggest fans of Dinosaur World near Plant City, but the park sees its fair share of adult dinosaur lovers as well, according to park staff.

Families will also find dozens of sheltered picnic tables where they are welcome to bring food and drink from home, and enjoy eating together or just take a break from strolling through the exhibits. Dinosaur World does not offer food for sale, other than what’s available from a few vending machines.

Although toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school students make up a large segment of the Dinosaur World fan base, they’re not the only age group to find something to love about the park.

“We have a lot of little ones that come,” Roque said. “But, we also have a lot of adults. … It depends on their passion for the dinosaurs.”

About 110,000 people visited the Plant City attraction last year, she said, adding that tourists have come from Europe, Canada, South America and Australia, as well as from all over the U.S.

“A lot of them say they were commuting on I-4 and they saw the big dinosaurs,” Roque said. “They come back and check it out.”

The park’s spacious gift shop includes a tribute to the living dinosaur descendants that once inhabited the spot. In one corner, visitors can view a replica of Toyo, a former Gator Jungle resident that died at age 81.

If you go
Where: Dinosaur World, 5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, FL 33565 (Exit 17, off Interstate 4)
When: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $16.95; children 3-12, $11.95; children 2 and younger, free. Tickets that include gem mining cost extra.
Information: (813) 717-9865 or DinosaurWorld.com.

By Susan Green

Published June 14, 2017