A park and bike trail that were closed Wednesday (April 12) because of wildfires will reopen today (April 15).

PASCO COUNTY – A park and bicycle trail that were closed Wednesday (April 12) because of wildfires will reopen this morning (April 14), Pasco County officials said.

The Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Road, New Port Richey, was evacuated Wednesday afternoon and remained closed until this morning. The Suncoast Bike Trail from State Road 52 to State Road 54 and the trails going into Starkey Park are also open. All are open from dawn until dusk.

The park has more than 8,300 acres of land and is a cooperative venture between the Southwest Florida Water Managment District and Pasco County Parks and Recreation. The park consists of a kiosk, open space, camping area, horse corral and equestrian trail, nature and multi-purpose trails, day use area, shelters and pavilions, playgrounds, horseshoe and volleyball courts. The birding trail was designated by the Audubon Society and 177 species of birds have been viewed.

The multi-purpose trail consists of 7.3 miles of paved surface for bike riding, roller blading, jogging or walking. It connects to the Suncoast Trail (42 miles) which runs along the west side of the Suncoast Parkway and stretches across Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties with eight trailheads in Pasco. There is a 10 mile equestrian trail and 13 miles of hiking trails.

For information about Starkey Wilderness Park, go to pascocountyfl.net.

For more information about the Suncoast Bike, go to pascocountyfl.net.

Photo courtesy of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Starkey Wilderness Park | Suncoast Bike Trail | Pasco County | Wildfires | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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