The Laker/Lutz News

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Angela Fagan

Public input propels playground project forward

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The initiative to renovate the playground at John S. Burks Memorial Park in Dade City is pressing forward after the public had the opportunity to offer its input.

A session was held on July 10 at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, in Dade City, to solicit public input.

Recreation and Natural Resources Department a wealth of ideas to consider when redesigning the playground at John S. Burks Memorial Park in Dade City. (File)

Ideas presented – especially by youths – possibly will be implemented into the project, said Angela Fagan, of the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department.

Safety was a main topic of discussion, Fagan said.

Suggestions included installing a portion of the playground under existing trees for better shade, and using a soft rubber surface on the playground to prevent injuries.

Concerns were mentioned about issues with motorists driving too close to the playground, and people hanging out in the nearby woods engaging in questionable behavior, Fagan added.

Providing better access to the premise for those with limited mobility is another idea the county department intends to factor into its designing phase.

Fagan noted that project funding is coming through a general obligation bond supported by voters last November.

The county has $127,000 for this project.

The county also is seeking a state grant, which could raise available funding to $245,000, Fagan said.

The playground’s renovation is still set to begin in 2020.

Published July 31, 2019

Withlacoochee River Park adds conservation land

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Withlacoochee River Park is larger by about 40 acres, following Pasco County’s purchase of additional conservation land at the park’s entrance.

The county’s Environmental Land Acquisition Management Program, known as ELAMP, recently purchased the property on Auton Road for about $132,000.

Plans for the new acreage aren’t certain, but some ideas are being considered.

Pasco County’s Environmental Land Acquisition Management Program purchased 40 acres to add to the Withlacoochee River Park. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

One possibility is to create an equestrian camp and the use of an existing building on site for 4-H classes.

“All of the uses will be passive in nature,” said Angela Fagan, program manager for Pasco’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department.

A portion of the newly purchased land is within the Withlacoochee River Ecological Planning Unit, which provides buffers to wildlife habitats along the river and in the Green Swamp.

The county’s land conservation program purchases properties with funds partly from the Penny for Pasco taxes. About 25 properties are currently on the program’s acquisition list.

So far, the county has acquired about 2,900 acres in conservation land.

Withlacoochee River Park is a regional park of more than 600 acres, located at 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd. It is near the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.

The park offers campgrounds for tents and recreational vehicles, cabins, bird-watching, canoe and kayak launches, and a fishing pier.

The Florida Trail Association maintains more than five miles of trail within the park.

For information, call Withlacoochee River Park at (352) 567-0264, or visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published April 25, 2018