The Laker/Lutz News

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Pasco County has been phasing in the reopening of some of its recreational facilities.

Ballfields and playgrounds remain closed in Pasco County, but some places are open in Pasco and Hillsborough counties that give people a chance to get out for some fresh air and exercise. (B.C. Manion)

Activities such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing or running can be done in specific locations, according to a Pasco County news release.

Groups of more than 10 will not be permitted and people must maintain social distancing from others of at least 6 feet, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

There are limited access openings at Pasco County parks, listed below. Restrooms remain closed unless noted, so please plan accordingly:

  • Withlacoochee River Park, Dade City
  • Aripeka Sandhills Preserve, Hudson
  • Boy Scout Preserve, New Port Richey
  • Crews Lake Wilderness Park, Spring Hill
  • Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey
  • Key Vista Nature Park, Holiday
  • Lake Lisa Park, Port Richey
  • Pasco Palms Preserve, New Port Richey
  • Upper Pithclachascotee Preserve, Spring Hill
  • Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park, Hudson

These public boat ramps remain open:

  • Anclote River Park, Holiday (restroom access)
  • Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park, Hudson
  • Moon Lake Park, New Port Richey
  • Middle Lake, Dade City
  • Eagle Point Park, kayak and canoe, New Port Richey

These trails remain open

  • The Suncoast Trail
  • Starkey Boulevard Trail
  • Starkey Gap Trail

The county also recently reopened these additional locations, effective May 2:

  • Anclote River Park
  • Anclote Gulf Park
  • Eagle Point Park
  • Moon Lake Park
  • Robert K. Rees Memorial Park

SunWest Park will be open to 100 cars at a time, in addition to annual passholders.

All Pasco County recreation complexes, community centers and playgrounds remain closed.

All events, activities, youth and adult sports leagues, special event reservations, pavilions, camp/RV grounds, cabin rentals, field reservations and any other reservations also remain closed until further notice.

The status of summer camp programs is not yet known. The county is awaiting updates from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine how it can safely offer its summer camp program.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also announced that the state’s parks would reopen, effective May 4.

In Hillsborough County, officials reopened most of its nature preserves and the boat ramp at E.G. Simmons Conservation Park on May 2. It also reopened several conservation parks, along with walking trails at six neighborhood parks on May 4.

Residents will be required to follow social distancing guidelines, and portions of the parks will remain closed, including playgrounds, picnic areas, and kayak/canoe facilities.

The following conservation parks reopened at 8 a.m., on May 4:

  • Flatwoods Conservation Park, 14302 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa, and 18205 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Tampa
  • Morris Bridge Off-Road Biking Area, 12651 Morris Bridge Road in Thonotosassa
  • Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park, 100 Alderman’s Ford Park Drive, Plant City, for hiking and biking only
  • Upper Tampa Bay Trail and all parking areas

Walking trails are open at these neighborhood parks:

  • Jackson Springs Community Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road in Tampa
  • Northdale Community Center, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa
  • Carrollwood Village Community Park, 4680 W. Village Drive, Tampa
  • Ruskin Community Center, 901 6th St. S.E., Ruskin
  • Apollo Beach Community Center, 664 Golf and See Blvd., Apollo Beach
  • All People’s Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa

All other parks remain closed.

Published May 06, 2020

A ‘peanut’ roundabout on Van Dyke Road?

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Hillsborough County is proposing a $40 million project to ease traffic congestion on Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

The project is expected to begin construction in late 2022, and be completed by late 2024.

Now in its planning phase, the proposed project calls for widening Van Dyke Road from two lanes to four lanes, in a 2-mile stretch from Whirley Road to the Suncoast Parkway.

The ‘peanut’ roundabout, as shown on this rendering, would help motorists make smoother turns off Van Dyke Road. The design also aims to keep traffic moving continuously. (Courtesy of Chris Wilkerson of Hillsborough County)

The plan also implements a divided median, as well as providing easier intersection turns for motorists.

To achieve the easier turns, the county plans to construct three new roundabouts on Van Dyke.

The roundabouts would make it easier to get off Van Dyke Road, and would keep the traffic flow on Van Dyke moving at a steady pace.

Chris Wilkerson, senior media relations strategist for Hillsborough County, said the roundabouts would “dramatically reduce fatalities” for motorists turning off of Van Dyke Road.

Two roundabouts would be placed at Van Dyke Road’s intersections with Lake Reflections Boulevard and Darby Lane, respectively.

Darby Lane, connecting with Van Dyke Road’s south end, turns into Lake Reflections Boulevard, on the road’s north end.

A third roundabout would be built at the intersection with the Grace Family Church entrance.

All three roundabouts would form into what is known as a “peanut” design.

This configuration has a long width to better facilitate entry points that are farther apart.

If it is constructed, it would be the first of its kind in the state, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

The proposal also calls for pedestrian-bicycle paths running along the north end and south end of Van Dyke Road.

A shared-use trail connection would link the Upper Tampa Bay Trail to the Northdale Lake Park Trail.

Potential detours and road closures cannot be determined yet, Wilkerson said.

Published November 27, 2019

Annual Hiking Spree features new trails, challenges

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Hillsborough County’s annual Hiking Spree is back, with some new twists, turns and challenges.

The hiking extravaganza, now in its fourth year, encourages people to exercise, explore the outdoors, and experience nature through the county’s numerous parks and preserves.

The 2020 Hiking Spree trail list features 24 trails at 21 locations throughout the county.

Five of those parks sit within The Laker Lutz News coverage area: Carrollwood Village Neighborhood Park, Lake Conservation Park, Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, Upper Tampa Bay Trail— Lutz Lake Fern, and Brooker Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve.

Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is included in this year’s Hiking Spree. It is one of 21 parks and 24 trails people are encouraged to try out this fall and winter. (File)

The Hiking Spree is designed to offer something for everyone from hiking rookies to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers can walk paths near their homes, but also are encouraged to explore new terrain throughout the county.

Here’s how it works: Hikers who complete at least eight trails between Nov. 1 and March 31, 2020 can earn a patch, a medallion for a walking stick or a dog tag. Hikers may repeat any trail twice for credit provided they occur on different dates. Participants may hike on their own, with a dog, with others or on guided park staff hikes.

Most trails range from less than a mile to more than 4 miles, labeled from easy to strenuous.

To captivate more daring hikers, lengthier trails ranging from nearly 7 miles to over 9 miles are new this year — at Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve North and South locations in Plant City and Lithia, and Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve in Plant City.

Incorporating some longer trails was requested by Hiking Spree participants last year, said Hiking Spree program coordinator Chris Kiddy, who also works for the county’s conservation and environmental lands management division.

Said Kiddy: “We’ve introduced a lot of people to hiking over the last few years with this, and some of the feedback we were hearing from last year was, ‘Hey, I love this, but I’d really like some longer hikes.’”

The Hiking Spree has shown to be a hit since introduced in 2016 by the county’s parks and recreation department.

About 1,000 people participated in the inaugural year, growing to about 3,700 participants in 2018-2019. County parks and recreation officials this year are hoping for as many 5,000 participants.

Kiddy has witnessed the surge over the years, as he gets trails ready each year and participates in the hiking challenge himself.

He put it like this: “What we hear more than anything from people is that they’re just amazed by how many opportunities that they have to see nature in Hillsborough County. We have over a million people in this area and you kind of think that it’s just this huge, urban area, (but) we have these little hidden places all over the county that are just places you can go to escape and get in touch with nature.”

While most parks and preserves and trails are rotated in and out of the Hiking Spree each year, a few locations are constants because of their popularity.

That includes Lettuce Lake, one of the county’s most visited parks, at 6920 East Fletcher Ave., in Tampa.

More than half of the park’s property lies in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River, consisting of a hardwood swamp forest. The remainder of the park consists of hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods plant communities.

Within the park is a 1.25-mile paved exercise trail and 3,500-foot boardwalk with an observation tower that provides scenic views of the Hillsborough River and the opportunity to see all sorts of wildlife, from wading birds and songbirds, to alligators.

Kiddy said of the spot: “Pretty much everything you can possibly see in nature you see right there in that small area, I think that’s why people enjoy that so much.”

Another hiking favorite is the 1.25-mile Singing Bluffs Trail at Edward Medard Conservation Park, 95256 South County Road 39 in Plant City.

“That’s another one where you see a lot of wildlife,” Kiddy said, “and that one is also really cool and unique because it uses some old phosphate mines as part of the trail, so there’s some elevation changes on that trail that people seem to really enjoy.”

Organizers this year also have added a new adventure challenge called “Trail Magic.”

Each week, hikers will be given clues and directions on the county’s social media accounts to locate a hidden “Trail Magic” spot on a trail and then become eligible for a free prize.

The hidden spot will rotate between each of the designated Hiking Spree trails and will have signs showing off the giveaway you could win, once you locate it. Giveaways will range from hiking supplies to massage gift certificates.

Kiddy said the concept derives from thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail to describe an unexpected act of kindness or goodwill that lifts a hiker’s spirits. In that environment, it’s often something as simple as being offered a snack or drink by a passing hiker or an onlooker offering a hot meal and a shower at their cabin.

“We just kind of wanted to play on that and approach providing some ‘trail magic’ of our own for the hiking spree,” Kiddy said.

This year’s Hiking Spree will be celebrated with a kickoff party on Nov. 9 at 9 a.m., at Upper Tampa Bay Park, 8001 Double Branch Road in Tampa.

The event will include games, nature arts and crafts, outdoor workshops, and classes on orienteering, knot tying, how to make your own hiking stick, and more. A variety of hikes will be offered, including a plant ID hike, birding hike, bug walk, and kids hike.

Registration for the Hiking Spree is available at hcflgov.net/hikingspree. Cost is free, though there is a $2-per-vehicle fee to enter some parks.

Also of note: The county is seeking volunteers to join its new Trail CATS (County Associated Trail Stewards) stewardship program, to help county staff maintain existing trails and explore new trail opportunities. Duties may include blazing and trimming trails, inspecting trails, installing signs, and other trail-related tasks.

For more information, email Chris Kiddy at .

Here is the list of parks and trails for the 2020 Hiking Spree:

Neighborhood Parks and Recreation Centers — short, paved, trails with water and facilities

  • All People’s Life Center: All People’s Fitness Trail (0.4 miles)
  • Branchton Neighborhood Park: Gray Fox Fitness Trail (0.75 miles)
  • Carrollwood Village Neighborhood Park: Laurel Oak Fitness Trail (1 mile)
  • Dover District Neighborhood Park: Arrowhead Fitness Trail (1.2 miles)
  • Jackson Springs Neighborhood Park: Conejo Fitness Trail (0.5 miles)
  • Ruskin/Baudette Neighborhood Trail: Quiet Pines Fitness Trail (0.5 miles)
  • Stephen J. Wortham Park: Bluestem Hiking Trail, Sand Pine Trail (3.1 miles total)

Conservation Parks — mid-range, well-maintained paths and trails

  • Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park: Two Rivers Loop, Rivers Edge Trail (2.2 miles total)
  • Edward Medard Conservation Park: Singing Bluffs (1.25 miles)
  • Eureka Springs Conservation Park: Peaceful Paths Trail (0.75 miles)
  • Lake Conservation Park: Tortoise Trail (3.2 miles)
  • Lettuce Lake Conservation Park: Limpkin Loop, Cypress Dome (2.2 miles total)
  • Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park: Bobcat, Eagle, and Otter Trails (1.7 miles)
  • Upper Tampa Bay Trail—Lutz Lake Fern: Robin Trail (3.3 miles)

Nature Preserves— No facilities, subject to daily conditions

  • Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve-North: Old Mine Trail (7 miles)
  • Alafia River Corridor Nature Preserve-South: Chito Branch Trail (6.7 miles)
  • Alderman’s Ford Nature Preserve: Riverbend Trail (3.5 miles)
  • Brooker Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve: Ramblewood Trail (3.6 miles)
  • Camp Bayou Nature Preserve: River Ramble Trail (2 miles)
  • Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve: Cone Ranch Trail (9.5 miles)
  • Wolf Branch Nature Preserve: Salty Trail (2 miles)

For information or to register, visit hcflgov.net/hikingspree.

Published October 30, 2019

New Year in sports offers plenty to watch, experience

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As we embark on a new year, the sports world within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area promises to deliver plenty to watch, experience, and perhaps appreciate.

Here’s a closer look at some of the happenings in 2019:

One major development will be the progression of new sports facilities throughout East Pasco County  —  whether it’s the end-of-year completion of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex, or the beginning of construction of others like the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center in Zephyrhills and the Christopher N. Chiles Aquatic Center in Land O’ Lakes.

Tied into all that, keep an eye on the initiatives put forth by Visit Pasco, the county’s tourism agency. Since rebranding its slogan to “Florida’s Sports Coast,” the county is looking to become a destination nationwide for youth and amateur sports.

Speaking of amateur sports, the new year is a good time to jump off the couch, get outdoors and pick up a new sport or activity.

AdventHealth Center Ice (formerly Florida Hospital Center Ice) will host several major tournaments in 2019, such as the USA Hockey adult men’s recreational national championships. (File)

The region presents countless opportunities year-round, from adult softball leagues at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, to recreational hockey leagues at AdventHealth Center Ice (formerly Florida Hospital Center Ice) in Wesley Chapel. Many local churches, including Idlewild Baptist Church, Grace Family Church and St. Timothy Catholic Church, offer their own sports leagues for all skill levels, from kickball and basketball, to flag football and soccer.

The cooler, early year temperatures are also a prime time to hit up the myriad of golf courses in Pasco. The St. Leo Abbey Golf Club in San Antonio and Fox Hollow Golf Club in Trinity are well-regarded, as are the more exclusive 36 holes offered at the Saddlebrook Resort & Spa.

Meantime, the adventure-seeking, fitness-oriented crowd may find it worthwhile to bike the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and the Withlacoochee State Trail; sign up for a Savage Race at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City; or, partake in Hillsborough County’s annual hiking spree, which includes visiting a number of nature parks and preserves countywide.

Several local churches, such as Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, offer a multitude of recreational sports leagues. (Courtesy of Idlewild Baptist Church)

There’s other fun, outdoor activities to give a try, too.

Exhilaration and excitement can also be found at places like TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park in Dade City and Skydive City in Zephyrhills. Horseback riding at Odessa’s Northwest Equestrian Conservation Park and rifle shooting at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O’ Lakes create a fun change of pace, in their own right.

Local sporting events are another highlight of the new year.

AdventHealth Center Ice will showcase its fair share. They include the Mrs. Hockey Invite, featuring the top U-12 girls talent from across the world; the 15th annual Toyota-USA Disabled Hockey Festival, the largest disabled hockey event of its kind; and, the USA Hockey adult men’s recreational national championships.

Silver Dollar Shooters Club in Odessa will play host to a series of premier events, including the Florida Hall of Fame Shoot/Silver Dollar Open, the Florida State Trap Shooting Championships, and the Southern Grand American Tournament.

This rendering shows the proposed Christopher N. Chiles Aquatics Center in Land O’ Lakes, which would add to the growing list of sports facility assets in Pasco County. (File)

Elsewhere, traditional sports-goers should also make a point to check out the various men’s and women’s college sports at Saint Leo University — consistently one of the nation’s Division II athletic programs — and Pasco-Hernando State College. Both institutions provide an up-close look at many athletes who wind up finding success in the professional sports ranks. That’s particularly been the case for Saint Leo’s baseball program, which has yielded seven MLB Draft picks since 2013.

Of course, the high school sports scene is worth watching as well.

The winter prep season is already underway, whereby several local schools are fielding top-notch basketball and soccer teams.

For instance, the Wesley Chapel boys basketball and Sunlake girls basketball have shown early promise, as have the boys and girls soccer teams at Wiregrass Ranch, among some others.

So, don’t be surprised if one or more of those squads wind up making deep playoff runs in their respective sport a couple months from now.

Come springtime, the central Pasco softball scene is sure to provide some exciting moments, as Academy at the Lakes, Land O’ Lakes and Sunlake each are coming off 20-plus win seasons.

The Savage Race, an extreme mud obstacle course, is held twice a year at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. (Courtesy of Savage Race)

Academy at the Lakes will be seeking its second-straight Class 2A state title, while Land O’ Lakes will be seeking its second Class 6A title in three years, respectively.

Both squads unquestionably have the veteran pitching firepower to again win state crowns, armed with Alabama signee Lexi Kilfoyl (Academy at the Lakes) and Tennessee signee Callie Turner (Land O’ Lakes) in the circle.

Other local softball programs like Gaither, Freedom, Steinbrenner and Cypress Creek are also coming off strong campaigns to inject some competition in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

The 2019 football season, too, should offer some interesting wrinkles.

New coaches will take over at Pasco and Sunlake, effectively replacing two household names in Tom McHugh and Bill Browning, respectively.

Those programs — along with the other public schools throughout Pasco — will look to unseat Zephyrhills, which went undefeated last regular season and is now up to 19 straight regular season victories.

Another storyline to follow: Land O’ Lakes and the progression they make under second-year coach Chad Walker. In his first season as a high school football head coach, the 34-year-old Walker guided the Gators to a 7-3 mark in 2018 — the program’s first winning season since 2013.

The eight-man football ranks is sure to create intrigue, as well.

Academy at the Lakes will be seeking an unprecedented third consecutive state title.

The team — which also went undefeated in 2018 and is on a 20-game win streak — is expected to return many key pieces, including standout quarterback Jalen Brown, who will be a junior.

Published January 2, 2019

Fourth Custom Home Underway At Exclusive Carencia in Odessa

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One of Tampa Bay’s most exclusive private communities, Carencia by Bayfair Homes in Odessa, has begun construction of its fourth million-dollar-plus home.

“The momentum is building at Carencia,” said Ryan Dougherty, Bayfair’s vice president of sales and marketing.

“Our newest home to start construction on is located on Lake Pretty, and has over 5,000 square feet of living area, with splendid views of this beautiful lake from virtually every room. The family that chose Bayfair to build their lakefront home worked with our team of professionals to ensure the design of their home suited their needs and tastes.”

Carencia is a 58-acre gated enclave of 18 homes located between Lake Pretty and Lake Politz, just west of Gunn Highway. The community offers almost impossible-to-find waterfront lots with private docks on 84-acre Lake Pretty — a large, private ski lake that has no public access.

It also encompasses tranquil Lake Politz, a smaller spring-fed lake perfect for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. It also is ideal for families wanting waterfront living in a more serene setting, since no motorized boats are permitted on the lake.

“All of our waterfront lots provide stunning views of open water with natural shorelines and cypress trees that support abundant wildlife,” said Dougherty.

The community also has wooded lots with water views — most with stands of mature hardwoods, including laurel oaks and even a massive live oak that is over 100 years old. All Carencia homes provide exceptional privacy and are built on sites that are an acre or larger.

“This land is unbelievably beautiful, tucked away in rural Odessa, and just minutes from excellent schools, and great entertainment and shopping, including Westfield Citrus Park Mall,” said Dougherty. “Plus, Carencia is just a five-minute bike ride away from the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.”

Homes in Carencia, including the lot, begin at $1 million and start at 3,500 square feet. Sales began last fall, and already several homes are under construction or in the design process.  The first families to build in the community will move in later this year.

“The most personal expression of one’s success is building a beautiful home for yourself and your family,” said Dougherty. “And, when it’s time to move up to the home of their dreams, families are finding that Carencia is the perfect community for them.”

Carencia is also unique as a luxury home community because its developer is also the builder of its homes.

“This is 100 percent a Bayfair Homes community, which means we are overseeing every step in its development and construction, so that 100 percent of Carencia’s vision is fulfilled,” said Dougherty.

“Every home we build will contribute to the community’s luxurious and exclusive streetscape, and all will boast the fine details and high-end finishes that Bayfair is known for as a premier builder,” he adds.

Bayfair Homes has a long history of building luxury homes in Odessa and Lutz. It built many estate homes in Keystone Shores and Stillwater between 1998 and 2005, and also developed New Floresta and Haven Bend in Tampa’s Lake Magdalene area, along with several on-your-lot locations.

In addition to Carencia, Bayfair Homes is also building lakefront homes in Oak Reserve, a 10-home Lutz community located close to Avila, as well as water and non-waterfront custom homes in South Tampa.

Because of its custom quality construction and premier finishes, Bayfair Homes builds just 12 to 15 homes a year — or about 450 custom homes total since the company was founded 30 years ago.  It has been locally owned and operated since it was established, and is one of few custom builders to provide an experienced architecture and design team on staff, as well as in-house warranty experts.

For more information about Carencia and Bayfair Homes, call (813) 906-1000, or go to Bayfair.com. Carencia is located off Gunn Highway in Odessa, about a mile south of North Mobley Road, and then east on Copeland Road another half mile.

 

Available Custom Homes

Lake Politz Modern Farmhouse
This transitional-style home offers the best of lakefront living with an open plan design and incredible outdoor living space.  The rear of the home is filled with windows, maximizing lake views and providing exceptional natural light throughout the home.

5,065 square feet
5 bedrooms / 5.5 baths / study / bonus room
Master suite downstairs with spa-like bath
Outdoor living with pool, grill area and more
Luxurious finishes, including hardwood flooring
Granite counters, enhanced interior trim details, and gourmet kitchen
Gated community with no CDD

French Country Home
Designed to captivate the best of French Country architecture to complement Odessa’s charming equestrian and farmhouse setting. This home offers an open floor plan for one-level living, with an upstairs bonus room for entertaining and flex space.

Wooded one-acre home site
4,335 square feet
4 bedrooms / 4.5 baths / study / bonus room
Oversized rear outdoor covered porch
Side-entry 3-car garage deep enough for a large SUV
Luxurious finishes, including hardwood flooring
Granite counters, enhanced interior trim details, and gourmet kitchen
Gated community with no CDD

Published April 25, 2018

Partial closure of Suncoast Trail for repairs

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Part of the Suncoast Trail will be closed from Feb. 27 through March 9 for repairs and resurfacing, according to a news release from Pasco County.

The 42-mile trail winds through Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. The largest segment of nearly 22 miles is in Pasco.

A line of bike riders pedaled along the Suncoast Trail in Pasco County for a special biking event in 2011. (File)

The closure includes trail access south of State Road 52, and north of State Road 54.

The project is one of Pasco County’s Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources scheduled maintenance plans to improve the multi-use Suncoast Trail.

The resurfacing will smooth out uneven areas and address areas needing repair. The aim is to make it safer for walkers and bikers to pass each other.

Walking, biking and inline skating are allowed. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

The trail is being closed because Pasco County officials said it would unsafe to use while repairs are being made.

The trail is part of Florida’s Greenways & Trails system, and opened in 2001. It parallels the Suncoast Parkway, and goes past the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve.

The end points are the Upper Tampa Bay Trail at West Lutz-Lake Fern Road in Keystone, in Hillsborough County, and U.S. 98 at West Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Brooksville, in Hernando.

For more information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published February 21, 2018

Hillsborough County seeks input for parks and recreation

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At locations around Hillsborough County, officials from the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation department are meeting with residents to discuss future recreational plans for the county.

Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation director Doc Dougherty outlined the park-planning process at the Northdale Community Center on June 27. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation director Doc Dougherty outlined the park-planning process at the Northdale Community Center on June 27.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

On June 27, the public input session was held at the Northdale Community Center. That was one of seven meetings in June to gather suggestions as the county creates its comprehensive plan for its parks system.

The goal is to have a final master plan in time for the county’s budget discussions in January, said Doc Dougherty, the county’s parks and recreation director.

Once it has been completed, the plan essentially will be a “wish book” of requests, upgrades and programming for the park system.

Ideas from residents and department staff are both being considered.

“It’s the involvement of everybody — it’s not just one person’s plan,” Dougherty said. “In the end, we can have a much more productive department and better quality of life through our parks overall,” he said.

The county’s parks and recreation system is large. It includes: More than 180 neighborhood parks, 118 playgrounds, 270 athletic fields and 53 community centers.

The county also oversees five dog parks and three skateparks.

At the Northdale session, an addendum survey indicated a strong preference for more senior-oriented programs, disc golf fields, and hiking and walking trails. There were also requests for more open green spaces with picnic areas and additional recreation centers.

“A big part of our discussion of the master plan is: Do we build new parks or do renovate old parks? When you start looking at the number of parks we already have, how about we invest into the older parks,” Dougherty said.

Ideally, the department would like to receive at least 50,000 responses from county residents, Dougherty said. That would present the department with a realistic view of upgrades and improvements needed for each neighborhood park.

“Our total (budget request) will be a large number,” he said. “Individually, there might be one park where it’s $200,000 to upgrade and another park might be $700,000,” he said.

“A lot of people just think about the big parks that we have, but we’ve got such small individual parks that just a little (upkeep) will go a long way,” he added.

If the Hillsborough County Commission approves the master plan’s budget, Dougherty said the department is facing at least another 100 meetings with various focus groups and individual communities before any systematic changes are made.

“It won’t be something where a budget passes and we’re ready,” he said. “It will take a little bit of time, but at least the focus and priority of where the money is going will be there.”

One possible alteration to the park system is the creation of specialty parks, such as tennis and basketball centers.

Adding specialty parks would eliminate the need to repair damaged tennis and basketball courts in each neighborhood park, Dougherty said.

“Do we continue fixing everything that’s in every park, or do we create what we call specialty parks? That’s one of the drastic changes when you start looking at creating the master plan,” Dougherty said.

The department also is looking into several technological upgrades, such as the addition of electronic charging stations (powered by solar energy) and wireless Internet access in certain designated areas within each park.

“Technology — we know that’s the future,” Dougherty said.

Enhanced safety and security measures, including solar-powered security cameras and emergency security call boxes, will likely be a significant focal point within the master plan.

Recreation ID membership passes are another safety measure the department has researched.

“This will take a little more time to implement, but we should have some kind of understanding and regulation of who’s coming and going,” Dougherty said.

“On the short end, it helps us to know who’s interested in what kind of (recreation) classes. To me, it’s strictly a security issue — no bad people want to let us know that they’re coming into the parks,” he said.

The public meetings in June followed up similar sessions held earlier in the year by the Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management department, which oversees 10 regional nature parks, including Lake Park and the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.

Its master plan will include specific recommendations on policies, procedures and practices as it relates to natural resource management, regional park facility uses and upgrades, and outdoor recreation.

Upgrading the park system has a significant effect on quality of life and property values, Dougherty said.

“When it comes to budget times, people see parks and recreation as not a necessity,” he said. “But, when you think about…what people take part in — youths in little league programs, having a picnic in the park — most people’s only connection to the local government is through parks and recreation.”

Share your thoughts
Do you have an opinion about future recreational priorities in Hillsborough County? An online survey is available for citizens to weigh in. Visit PlanYourParks.metroquest.com.

Published July 13, 2016

Trail extension receives rave reviews

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A new 4.35-mile section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is receiving widespread approval from walkers, joggers and cyclists, alike.

“The general feedback has been very positive,” said Forest Turbiville, Hillsborough County’s director of conservation and environmental lands management. “I mean, people love it.”

New Port Richey seasonal resident Bob Zook, 70, leads a pack of riders north on the trail, passing southbound riders, south of the new rest facility at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. Zook also leads a group of senior bicyclists every Tuesday from the Ja-Mar Mobile Home Community. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
New Port Richey seasonal resident Bob Zook, 70, leads a pack of riders north on the trail, passing southbound riders, south of the new rest facility at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. Zook also leads a group of senior bicyclists every Tuesday from the Ja-Mar Mobile Home Community.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

The $6.2 million project, which was unveiled on Dec. 1, featured the completion of the northernmost segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, making it the first-paved, multi-use trail constructed in a Hillsborough County preserve.

From the Lutz Lake Fern Road trailhead, the path extends 1.5 miles east and then north to connect with the Suncoast Trail. Additionally, it extends nearly 3 miles to the southwest along the crossing at Lutz Lake Fern Road, as well as nearly 3 miles to the southwest along the edge of Brooker Creek Preserve.

“I think one of the things (that stands out) is that it goes through the edge of a nature preserve, and I think that really makes it unique,” Turbiville said. “To have 4.5 miles of new trail, the majority of it going through a nature preserve, gives the user that different experience maybe from some other parts of the county that are more developed.”

Since it’s opening, the new section has been a hot spot for exercisers looking to distance themselves from the noise and commotion of city life.

Paula Mitchell and Ruddy Arzon, of Homeland, walk the trail 1.5 miles at least once a week since the new segment opened. The pair noted how well maintained the trail is.
Paula Mitchell and Ruddy Arzon, of Homeland, walk the trail 1.5 miles at least once a week since the new segment opened. The pair noted how well maintained the trail is.

“Oh, I love it. It’s great,” said 41-year-old walker Jeff Hebrank of Odessa. “You’re walking out in the woods, away from the traffic. It’s nice and quiet. It’s beautiful with natural surroundings.”

Polk County resident Paula Mitchell, 64, said the trail’s new section is “a wonderful place to walk.”

“The trail has more nature than the part heading up along the Suncoast Parkway, which is not as picturesque because you’re along the highway,” said Mitchell, who spends her weekends in Lutz. “The (new trail) has a lot shade and foot trails where you can get off the paved area and go hiking through the woods.”

Seventy-year-old Bob Zook, a seasonal resident from Columbus, Ohio, was especially impressed with the trail’s mix of “beauty” and “scenery.”

“It’s a combination of what I’d call ‘Old Florida’ and some of the newer, more modern parts of Florida,” said Zook, who leads a senior citizens biking group in New Port Richey. “It goes all the way out to the Suncoast Trail, so you have the combination of going along a busy highway versus being out in the middle of basically nowhere. Quite often, that’s what bikers like—a variety of scenery.”

Zook remarked that it is one of “prettier trails” he’s ridden on over the years.

“It’s obvious (Hillsborough County) spent an awful lot of money on it,” he added.

Bicyclists can stop the traffic by using a crosswalk signal, where the trail crosses busy roadways.
Bicyclists can stop the traffic by using a crosswalk signal, where the trail crosses busy roadways.

Lutz resident Mike Lopez, 51, who typically rides his bike about 10 miles per week on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, commended Hillsborough County officials for doing a “great job” with the new section.

“At first I thought: ‘What are they doing? Why are they putting this trail in?’  “But, after I rode it, the first thing I thought was, ‘Oh, it’s so nice. Finally, my taxpayer dollars are being used for something I like,’ ” Lopez said.

Lopez enjoys the convenience of a signalized crossing at Lutz Lake Fern Road, where he can ride his bike directly from his home to the trailhead, without having to worry about using a car and having to pay a $2 parking fee.

“It’s very relaxing to get away from a hard day’s work,” he said. “Just one subdivision over and the next thing you know, you’re in the woods.”

The signalized crossing is not only convenient for nearby residents, but it makes getting to the trail via bicycle much safer, especially when accompanied with children.

Nature is the main feature along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail’s new section.
Nature is the main feature along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail’s new section.

“I hated crossing over (State Road) 54 because of my kids, so I wouldn’t always take them,” said 47-year-old Corinne Wolthuis, of Lutz. “But, now it’s nice because we can really ride in that trail, and if they want to stop and walk, they can. It’s nice, because we can ride from our neighborhood on the sidewalk, and then when we get to the trail, we just have that one little path that we have to cross over where they put a stoplight.”

Wolthuis was impressed by the added amenities at the new Lutz Lake Fern Road trailhead, which features a rest area, water stations and several picnic tables and benches to utilize after a long walk or bike ride.

Before the new trailhead facilities opened, Wolthuis said she would have to leave the trail entirely, so her 6-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl could use a restroom at a nearby fast-food restaurant or department store.

The only issue Wolthuis has come across is the trail can be difficult to navigate when there are large crowds of people walking in groups with their pets.

One time, she almost got into a wreck, because a dog was in her pathway as she was biking along the trail.

Those utilizing the new 4.35-mile segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail can stop at the trailhead at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. It features 50 parking spaces, restrooms, a picnic area and large maps of the trail.
Those utilizing the new 4.35-mile segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail can stop at the trailhead at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. It features 50 parking spaces, restrooms, a picnic area and large maps of the trail.

“I was coming around a corner pretty quick, and the dog was on the leash but kind of extended out, and if the owner didn’t pull him back quick enough, it would have been a disaster,” Wolthuis said. “I’m not saying we should exclude the dogs, but that would be the only thing, especially when it’s very, very congested like that, and you’ve got bikes, people rollerblading and then you mix dogs in there on a long leash; you can forget it.

“I don’t know really how to fix that. You just have to kind of be aware of your surroundings,” she said.

When less congested, the 12-foot asphalt path has proven to be wide enough for more avid cyclists like 53-year-old Jim Griffin, of Odessa, to safely make wide turns at high rates of speed.

“They’ve cleared the vegetation off so you can see ahead of you as you’re making these large sweeping turns,” said Griffin, who uses a 22-speed racing bike to ride 100 miles per week. “It’s very important because…I’m riding a racing bike with skinny tires and 120 pounds of pressure in them. …We’re running 20 miles per hour average.

“They’ve got it set to where you come on a turn, you can see clearly ahead,” said Griffin, a member of the West Coast Florida Cycling Club in Tampa.

The new section’s grand opening was scheduled in August, but delayed until December because of flooding.

“If I have a complaint with it, it’s during rainy season,” Griffin said. “It was in the water; spots where water was covering it, so they postponed the grand opening. They did some remediation, and it looks like they got into some ducts and trenches and pits to keep the water from crossing the trail.”

With the trail free of flooding, and open every day from dawn to dusk, Griffin has found it to be a “beautiful” location to train with his 55-member cycling group,

“We use it a lot. A lot,” he stated.

New additions to the Upper Tampa Bay Trail
What: A 4.35-mile multi-use trail that marks the completion of the northernmost portion of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, making it the first paved trail in a Hillsborough County preserve.
Where: 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road
When: Open every day from dawn to dusk
How much: $2 daily car parking fee
For more information, visit HillsboroughCounty.org/UTBTrail.

Published January 13, 2016 

Upper Tampa Bay Trail ties into Suncoast Trail

By

Editor’s Note: Due to heavy rain and flooding, Hillsborough County officials had to postpone the opening of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. The ribbon cutting, which had been scheduled for Aug. 7, will be re-scheduled for a later date. Notice of the cancellation was received after the publication deadline for The Laker/Lutz News.

Nature will be an up-close experience for strollers, joggers, skaters and cyclists as they navigate along the newest and most northern segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.

Workers are finishing the landscape at the new trailhead facility for Upper Tampa Bay Trail. There will be restrooms, ample parking and a covered picnic pavilion. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
Workers are finishing the landscape at the new trailhead facility for Upper Tampa Bay Trail. There will be restrooms, ample parking and a covered picnic pavilion.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

Nearly 3 miles of the more than 4-mile trail segment cuts through Brooker Creek Preserve in Hillsborough County, between Lutz Lake Fern Road and Van Dyke Road.

The ribbon cutting for the $5.6 million project will be Aug. 7 at 10 a.m., at the new trailhead facility at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. Funding came from Hillsborough, South West Florida Water Management District (known as Swiftmud), and a federal grant provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.

“It’s going to be a beautiful trail,” said Tina Russo, Hillsborough’s regional planning coordinator. “It’s really awesome. This is such a unique experience being in the preserve.”

It also is a unique design for Hillsborough.

The 12-foot asphalt path, with three concrete boardwalks through wetlands, is the county’s first paved multi-use trail through a preserve.

Construction of the newest, northern segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail in Hillsborough County began in March. When the trail opens on Aug. 7, it will link with Suncoast Trail in Pasco County
Construction of the newest, northern segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail in Hillsborough County began in March. When the trail opens on Aug. 7, it will link with Suncoast Trail in Pasco County

The trail also is another link in a master plan to create a regional trail system, and a statewide system.

The trailhead at Lutz Lake can be a starting point south toward Van Dyke or northeast to the Suncoast Trail in Pasco County. The new facility has a covered picnic pavilion, restrooms and ample parking.

Suncoast is a 42-mile trail that runs from Hillsborough through Pasco and to Hernando County.

“I think we’re all looking forward to these types of amenities,” said James Edwards, Pasco’s transportation planning manager.

Construction of the path followed an eco-friendly design with much of the trail at grade level to allow for natural water run-off.

Along the trail there are narrower, unpaved walkways into conservation areas. Russo said bicycle racks would be provided.

She envisions the trail as a two-for-one deal, because it will appeal to local residents who want to enjoy the preserve. But, it will also have regional appeal for hikers and cyclists who enjoy combining Upper Tampa Bay and Suncoast trails for longer distances.

Trails aren’t only for recreation.

Commuters like them as well especially as the systems expand, Russo said.

Plans are under way to extend Suncoast. Hillsborough is hoping to fill in a gap between Van Dyke and a trailhead at Peterson Park that links the Upper Tampa Bay Trail with Town ‘N Country. The nearby Courtney Campbell Trail links Tampa and Clearwater. Eventually the trails through Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco could hit the 100-mile mark, Russo said.

Transportation planning and traffic studies are looking at ways to increase commuting options with park-ride facilities and public transit tied into trails.

“It’s a lot about transit and trails,” she said.

Published August 5, 2015