From archery to swimming and everything in between, Hillsborough and Pasco county parks, businesses and
recreation centers are offering numerous activities just in time for the summer — and they won’t empty your wallet.
At Lake Park just off the intersection of Dale Mabry Highway and Van Dyke Road in Lutz, kid-friendly bike
trails, self-guided wildlife tours and even an archery range highlight the 589-acre park.
If the nature portion isn’t your thing, Lake Park offers a BMX bike track and a radio controlled (RC)
car track as well as playgrounds, picnic areas and plenty of jogging space. Entry is just $2 per vehicle. Both the BMX and RC tracks are always open to the public unless races or tournaments are taking place.
In Pasco, the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex at 3032 Collier Parkway is hosting a children’s summer
camp that runs through Aug. 10.
At the camp, children swim twice a week at the center’s pool and participate in weekly field trips. This
summer, campers will be treated with trips to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Buccaneer Bay Water Park in Weeki Wachee and Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.
When the day of camping is done at 5:30 p.m., both adults and children are invited to participate in
nightly activities that run Monday through Saturday, including Zumba, karate and belly dance for kids ages 8 to 15. For camp pricing and a run down of the daily events at the center, visit PascoCountyFL.net/DocumentCenter/Home/View/6186.
Just a quarter mile north on Collier Parkway, the Plantation Palms Golf and Country Club is giving golfers of all ability levels the
opportunity to participate in its Summer Youth Golf Academy, which runs until Aug. 20.
The clinics are broken up into four sections: Peewee, ages 6 to 9; Players Learning, ages 10 to 15; Advanced Players, ages 14 to 17; and Girls,
Girls, Girls, girls only, ages 6 to 12. Prices for instruction start at $10. All youth golfers may only rent a cart, for $10, if they have a valid Florida driver’s license. For more information, call (813) 996-7122.
At the Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, both adults and children have the chance to participate in competitive athletics.
The Wesley Chapel Athletic Association (WCAA) offers baseball, adult and youth softball, basketball, cheerleading, football, flag football,
lacrosse and soccer programs.
The WCAA soccer team, Wesley Chapel Flames, is currently registering youth athletes for U8 and U14 categories for its July 23 to 27 camp
at wesleychapelsoccerclub.com. The cost of the five-day clinic is $135.
In Zephyrhills, an interactive children’s water playground at Zephyr Park is a cool spot when the weather gets hot.
The water park is located at 5039 Fourth St. and is open seven days a week, free of charge. Unless you are older than 17, you must
be accompanied by an adult. Scooters, bicycles and skateboards are not allowed.
