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Land O'Lakes park to spread out
Sports teams and other users of the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex will get almost 40 more acres of play in a purchase approved Tuesday.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET, Times Staff Writer
Published October 22, 2003
DADE CITY - Talk about a field of dreams.
After years of using the crowded Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex, where teams often share practice fields and parking is a nightmare, Amye Cox watched with satisfaction Tuesday as the county agreed to double the size of the park.
The County Commission approved a $2.49-million land buy that will add 39.3 acres to the nearly 40-acre park. That's plenty of room for more soccer fields, baseball fields, softball fields, football fields, not to mention park benches, walking trails and some much-needed parking, Cox said.
"I do honestly believe the people of Land O'Lakes and central Pasco are holding up their arms and cheering, "Hooray!' " said Cox, chairwoman of the Central Pasco Sports Coalition.
The deal actually includes 13 properties at the southeast corner of the park. Six of the properties have homes, according to Property Appraiser's Office records.
When the county first approached the property owners several years ago, most of them were unwilling to sell, County Administrator John Gallagher said.
At the urging of the sports coalition, the county reopened negotiations with the property owners late last year, this time reaching an agreeable price.
The owners agreed to use the same attorney, which made negotiations move more quickly, Gallagher said.
The county will pay for the land using money from its general fund, its capital improvement fund and impact fees.
"I'm happy, and I know the people of Land O'Lakes are happy, too," said Commissioner Pat Mulieri, whose district includes Land O'Lakes.
- Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is hall@sptimes.com
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