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Anclote River Park Will Expand Thanks To Deal With Duke Energy

A truck loads a boat into the water at Anclote River Park.
Pasco County Parks, Recration, and Natrual Resources.
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the expansion of Anclote River Park should increase capacity for boaters.

By Carrie Pinkard

Boaters and nature lovers in Pasco County will soon have more room to roam.

Anclote River Park is expanding by 14 acres, and officials say the extra space will also mean much needed amenities.

“We're expecting the redesign to include additional parking, maybe wider lanes, a designated entrance separate from the park entrance, walking trails, and more things of that nature,” said Rene Brown, Natural Resources Manager for Pasco County’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The expansion comes courtesy of a deal with Duke Energy.

The county gave the energy company $1.85 million and 75 acres  near its Anclote Substation in exchange for full ownership of the park and an adjacent 14 acres.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the money for the land comes from a loan the county already secured.

“The $1.85 million in cash is part of a loan that we secured when we borrowed money to build the sports complex at Wiregrass Park,” Starkey said. “We included 5 million dollars that would go toward improving boating access on the west side of the county and the $1.85 million is coming from that pot of money.”

Anclote River Park is a popular destination for boaters, but there isn't always room due to overcrowded boat ramps. The new design for the park will focus on improving capacity.

"Adding more boat ramps or at the very least a more efficient layout for the use of boat ramps will allow for greater capacity," Starkey said. "As Pasco County is entering into it's second scallop season, we know there are more boaters that want to enter the water."
 

A bird flies at Anclote River Park
Credit Pasco County Parks and Recreation
Anclote River Park will be getting 14 new acres thanks to an agreement Pasco County made with Duke Energy.

  

Carrie Pinkard is the Stephen Noble news intern for the summer 2019 semester. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in English, before heading to USF St Pete to pursue a master’s in journalism.
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