Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For The Opening Of The Starkey Trail Project

Ribbon cutting ceremony

This ceremony celebrates the opening of the Starkey Trail project Connection through Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park to the Trailhead and Suncoast Trail

The Starkey Trail projects that connect Starkey Boulevard and Wilderness Park Road to the trailhead in Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park and the Suncoast Trail are now open to pedestrians and cyclists. To celebrate the opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on the trail, adjacent to the Starkey Environmental Education Center and the Welcome Center Kiosk.

 During the ceremony, Pasco County will take this opportunity to recognize and remember the contributions of Robert (Bob) J. Tietz, Pasco County Biologist from September 14, 1998 to June 1, 2010, on the trail project through Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.  Bob Tietz was instrumental in developing the alignment, assisting with the design, and securing the permit for this section of the project.  In recognizing his contribution and his passion for the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, the County will be placing a plaque adjacent to the bicycle trail, in his memory.

 Information on the trails and their history: There is an eight-foot asphalt Multi-Use Path along the east side of Starkey Boulevard from Alico Pass to Wilderness Park Road, an eight-foot concrete Multi-Use Path on the north side of Wilderness Park Road and a ten-foot asphalt Multi-Use Trail that meanders through the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park to the trailhead and Suncoast Trail.  These projects were constructed with funding from the Penny for Pasco Local Option Sales Surtax and will add 2.34 miles of bicycle trails to Pasco County.