The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Ways to have fun, during the dog days of summer

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The hot weather makes it feel like summer is already here — but soon, it will actually be upon us.

Schools will be on break, pools will be full of splashing swimmers, beaches will be crowded, and it will be time to find activities to fill those longer days.

Luckily, there is no shortage of things to do in Pasco County.

Check out these suggestions, intended to help you have an especially spectacular summer.

Summer Camps
Pasco Outdoor Adventures are summer day camps with several locations that are available for children ages 5 to 13. The camps will run from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., from June 13 through July 29. Activities include archery, arts and crafts, fishing, geocaching, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, nature photography, paddle sports and more.

Locations include:

  • J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, in Holiday
  • Centennial Middle School, Dade City
  • Veterans Memorial Park, Hudson
  • Wesley Chapel District Park, Wesley Chapel
  • Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, Land O’ Lakes
  • Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, Land O’ Lakes
  • Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey

Prices vary and space is limited.

To find out more or to register, visit PascoCountyFl.net/4799/Pasco-Outdoor-Adventures.

Epperson Lagoon. Located at 31885 Overpass Road, in Wesley Chapel, the 7 acres of clear blue waters is open to the public for a daily fee. It features kayak and paddleboard rentals, an inflatable water park, food and drinks, and weekly gatherings such as trivia night and Movies on the Turf. (File)
Waterplay at Zephyr Park, 5039 Fourth St., in Zephyrhills, is a fully free water feature. It is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other places in Pasco County to cool off are the pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway; and the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St. (File)
Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park. From dodgeball, to a rock wall, to arcade games, to foam ball pits to basketball and gladiator games, Flying Squirrel has bouncing fun for the whole family. Soon, the facility will have extended summer hours. Check its website for pricing information. (File)
BMX, Lake Park, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Lutz, has several activities available all year long. But the Tampa BMX track is where bikers of all ages can ride the track after paying the $2 park entrance fee. (File)
There are dozens of local golf courses, from Saddlebrook in Wesley Chapel to Silverado Golf Club in Zephyrhills to Heritage Harbor in Lutz. Most, if not all, also host junior golf summer camps and leagues, as well as special rates for young golfers. There are a couple of putt-putt golf courses nearby: Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes; and Grove Mini Golf, the brand-new putt-putt facility at The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6201 Wesley Grove Blvd., is tentatively scheduled to open May 27. (File)
The Lift Adventure Park
This wakeboard cable park, along with the inflatable Aqua Park, is located at SunWest Park at 17362 Old Dixie Highway, in Hudson. The facility also features a ‘beach,’ swimming areas, watercraft rentals and other amenities, for a daily entrance fee. (File)
The Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Tennis Center in Zephyrhills features courts for tennis and pickleball, and a fitness center to help burn off some hours playing the paddle sport of your choice. Several youth tennis programs are available this summer at SVB, as are programs at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex and the Dade City YMCA. (File)
Rentals for kayaking are widely available across the area, including places like SunWest Park in Hudson, Salty Dog Kayak Rentals in Port Richey, Epperson Lagoon in Wesley Chapel, Weeki Wachee State Park in Brooksville, the Chassahowitzka River Boat Ramp in Homosassa, and even off the Dunedin Causeway between Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park. (Mike Camunas)
Skate parks
There are several local skate parks, including:
• 3034 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes
• 20th Street and Alston Avenue, Zephyrhills
• 17302 Commerce Park Blvd., New Tampa
• 4680 W. Village Drive, Carrollwood (File)
Treehoppers This aerial adventure park, at 27839 St. Joe Road, in Dade City, offers 10 rope courses with more than 100 obstacles, all up in the trees. Late hours are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (File)

 

 

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