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John S. Burks Memorial Park

Pasco board moves ahead on jail expansion funding

June 15, 2021 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has authorized county staff to secure funding from the county’s general obligation bonds to pay for expansion of the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center.

The expansion is funded through general obligation bonds that Pasco voters approved in November 2018. The board unanimously authorized an amount of nearly $108 million of those funds to pay for the work.

The project will add 1,000 new beds, plus major upgrades to the jail’s central services, including medical, laundry, kitchen, intake and administrative facilities to meet a larger capacity.

At completion, the 352,700-foot-facility will be about 200,000 square feet larger.

The current facility has 1,432 beds, but is operating above capacity.

Completion of the expansion will allow the facility, at 20101 Central Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, to house more than 3,000 inmates.

Commissioner Jack Mariano requested an update on the project for the board and County Administrator Dan Biles said he would schedule a presentation sometime in July or August.

On another matter, the board agreed to amend an ordinance, at the county administrator’s request, to permit greater flexibility in how the county spends it transportation tax increment funds.

Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein told the board the proposed change would allow the funds to be transferred to the general fund for other public facilities and services — to the extent they’re not needed for mobility fee subsidies.

“The exact amount of this transfer will be determined yearly, as part of the budget process,” Goldstein said.

The change also will apply to the Villages of Pasadena Hills, which has its own tax increment financing district. Those funds also had been restricted to transportation-only related costs, Goldstein said.

No one from the public spoke either for, or against, the change.

In another item, the board appointed members to the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee.

The county’s planning and development department sought applicants for the 13-member volunteer board and received 22 applications.

The committee’s task will be to  evaluate policies and regulations related to the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District, and to recommend commercial development design standards and guidelines to the Pasco County Commission.

The northeast rural area is bordered by Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, the Green Swamp, State Road 52 and the Hernando County line.

Those appointed to the committee are:

  • Area residents: Nancy Hazelwood, Anthony Midthun, Lisa Moretti, Mary Kaye Harrison and Diana Hughes Diaz
  • Area business owners: Craig Linton Jr., James N. Hancock, Paul Boetcher, Frank Greco and Ronnie L. Deese
  • Land-use attorney: G. Randall (Randy) James
  • At-large members: Cyndi Tarapani and Chris Williams

The board, at the suggestion of Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, also appointed Seth Weightman, one of the applicants, to serve as an alternate.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley, whose district includes the area, said “the staff did a good job of selecting the 13 out of the 22.”

With Northeast Pasco’s growth, the board will be able to address issues regarding the need for workforce housing and other issues, he said.

Oakley said the board will provide an avenue for input.

“People will be able to voice their opinion,” the commission chairman said.

Advisory committee members will serve until a final recommendation is made to the county board and then the committee will disband.

On another issue, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she would like to pursue a board workshop on the issue of the county’s vacation rentals ordinance.

She said she knows that opinions are divided on the issue, but she thinks something must be done regarding the county’s current ordinance — which she said is not working.

It is not yet known whether a workshop will be held.

In other action, the board:

  • Authorized the acquisition of 7.41 acres on State Road 54 for what will become Fire Station No. 5, and will serve central Wesley Chapel and communities within a 5-mile radius. A market value appraisal was completed on Feb. 8, using a sales comparison approach and it came in at about $3.1 million. The parcel is vacant and is zoned for commercial uses. The county’s purchase price is $2,450,000.
  • Approved a task order with Fleishman and Garcia Architects and Planners, AIA, PA (FGA) to perform architectural, engineering and related services for the design and construction of Fire Station No. 18 on Chancey Road in Zephyrhills in an amount not to exceed $261,230 for fiscal year 2021.
  • Accepted the donation of an electronic varsity scoreboard from the Dade City Little League, Inc. for John S. Burks Memorial Park. The 8-foot-by-4-foot LED scoreboard with wireless remote control, is valued at $3,090. It will be used for baseball games.

Published June 16, 2021

Christmas tree recycling in Pasco

January 2, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County is encouraging residents to recycle their live Christmas trees.

The trees can be chipped into mulch, chopped into firewood or relocated as wildlife habitats, according to a county news release.

Be sure to remove all decorations, tinsel and metal hooks before recycling the trees, the release advises.

Trees can be dropped off daily, until Jan. 12, during normal business hours at any of these locations:

  • John S. Burks Memorial Park, 13220 Gene Nelson Blvd., Dade City
  • Sam W. Pasco Recreational Complex, 39835 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills
  • Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
  • Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Road, New Port Richey
  • Anclote Gulf Park, 2305 Ballies Bluff Road, Holiday
  • West Pasco Class III Site, 14606 Hays Road, Spring Hill
  • Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
  • Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel

For more information about recycling in Pasco County, visit bit.ly/2lWhIVh.

Published January 01, 2020

Public input propels playground project forward

July 31, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

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

Suggestions wanted for Burks playground improvements

July 3, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

Dade City’s John S. Burks Memorial Park playground will be undergoing remodeling, and Pasco County wants its residents to have a say on ways to improve the play space.

The playground at the John S. Burks Memorial Park is set for renovation in 2020, and Pasco residents are being asked to help create the new look for the Dade City play area. (Courtesy of Angela Fagan-Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources)

A session is set for July 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., to give people a chance to  offer their ideas for the project. Kids too, are encouraged to brainstorm and bring fresh ideas for Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources to consider.

While the county department has potential plans in mind, any expansion or additional amenities to the playground may be factored in after public comments have been weighed.

The renovation will occur during 2020, but no completion date has been given.

The public meeting will be in the Hugh Embry Library conference room, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.

For additional information, contact the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department at (813) 929-2760.

Public meeting for John S. Burks Memorial Park playground
Where: Hugh Embry Library conference room, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City
When: July 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The public is invited to the library to offer their ideas for the remodeling of the Dade City playground.
Info: Call the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department at (813) 929-2760.

Published July 03, 2019

Pasco sets up Christmas tree recycling locations

December 24, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

In what might be the biggest holiday recycling effort of the year, Pasco County officials are asking residents to recycle Christmas trees by bringing home to one of several locations between Dec. 26 and Jan. 7.

“I have copies of old news articles going back to Dec. 28, 1995, that indicate this was a recycling tradition for at least five years before that date,” said Jennifer Seney, Pasco’s recycling coordinator, in a release. “We recycled 1,330 Christmas trees in 2013.”

Trees brought to the drop-off points will be chipped and made into mulch for landscaping purposes, officials said. It’s asked that those bringing trees remove all tinsel, metal hooks and decorations before bringing them to a station.

Locations east of the Suncoast Parkway include:

• John S. Burks Memorial Park, 1322 Gene Nelson Blvd., in Dade City
• Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes
• Sam W. Pasco Recreational Complex, 9835 Chancey Road in Zephyrhills
• Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel

“Trees are chipped and made into mulch for many different uses, like covering hiking paths, weed control and landscaping accents,” Seney said.

Also, decaying trees can make a strong wildlife habitat if used in a brush pile, she said. “Of course, this only works where the homeowner has the space and time to let nature take its course.”

Questions or requests for information can be directed to Pasco County Recycling at (727) 856-4539, or by visiting PascoCountyUtilities.com.

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What’s Happening

08/13/2022 – Ask a Gardener

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, will host “Ask a Master Gardener” on Aug. 13 at 9 a.m. and at 10 a.m. A master gardener will be on hand to answer questions. For information, call 813-780-0064. … [Read More...] about 08/13/2022 – Ask a Gardener

08/13/2022 – Belly Dance Show

The American Belly Dance Studio will present “We Come to Belly Dance,” a gala belly dance show, on Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. This is a fun, family oriented show featuring a variety of belly dance styles and costumes. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online at AmericanBellyDance.com, and at the door if available (limited seating). For information, email , or call 813-416-8333. … [Read More...] about 08/13/2022 – Belly Dance Show

08/14/2022 – Sunday Storytime

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Sunday Storytime on Aug. 14 at 2 p.m., for all ages. Masks are recommended but not required. Registration is required online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/14/2022 – Sunday Storytime

08/15/2022 – Animal Services temporary closure

Pasco County Animal Services, 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O' Lakes, will close to the public on Aug. 15 through Aug. 17. The PCAS team members will be training on a new pet management software, to better serve customers. Offices will re-open for regular business hours on Aug. 18. … [Read More...] about 08/15/2022 – Animal Services temporary closure

08/15/2022 – Choose your adventure

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “Choose Your Library Adventure: Back-to-School Edition 2022” on Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 6 to 12, online. Kids can make their own choices during an interactive journey through Library World. This is a friendly and wise guide to give kids and family the knowledge to make the most of library resources available for fun, education and ongoing adventure. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 08/15/2022 – Choose your adventure

08/16/2022 – Dance party

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host “Dance Party!” storytimes on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17. Toddlers can attend at 10:15 a.m., and preschoolers at 11:15 a.m. The 45-minute sessions include stories, songs and movement. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/16/2022 – Dance party

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