There’s also a strong low level jet stream mixed with very cold air at higher altitudes that will add the risk of very strong winds, large hail, and even a tornado.

Expect heavy rainfall (1 to 3 inches) and make preparations today.

As with any large project, there are many steps and processes involved in the development. The first step toward achieving Trinity Park is to get the design concept approved. Once the concept is approved, the Parks and Recreation department can move forward with the calculations of how much the construction and operation of the park should cost. 

The director of the Pasco County Parks and Recreation believes that there is enough funding available to construct the park, however operating and maintaining the park is where funds may fall short. According to the Assistant County Administrator for Pasco County, the Parks and Recreation department has lost over a third of its resources and personnel in the past 4 years due to declining property values. There may be even more budget cuts to contend with in this coming fiscal year.

Satellite View of Proposed Trinity Park Area

The third and final stakeholders meeting was held in the West Pasco Government Center Board room on the 29^th of March. These meetings are held not only to inform Trinity residents of the park’s design plans in progress, but to also obtain opinions from the citizens of Pasco County on strategically working with such a tight budget.

It is important for residents to recognize that without sufficient funding for operations, the park will be unable to break ground. Pasco County officials are working hard to establish sufficient funding and planning to make this well-designed park a reality for Trinity residents.

The Proposed Features

Trinity Park will be a passive park and is set to be built on Trinity Boulevard just south of the fire station and roughly 800 feet east of Corporate Center Drive in Trinity, Pasco County, Florida. The tentative design of this passive park includes many great features such as:

• 2 age appropriate playgrounds (one structure for older children and one structure for younger children)
• 2-3 picnics shelter areas
• Running water in bathrooms/drinking fountains
• Paved trails
• Sandy volleyball court
• 2 basketball courts
• 3 tennis courts
• Paved and unpaved parking
• Open field area
• Possible storm water pond

As many of you may be wondering, there are design codes and requirements in place by which this park must comply such as handicap accessibility, environmental protection, and land codes, just to name a few. This park is predicted to contain many different features for a diverse array of people and families to enjoy.

When brainstorming the possibility of any new community project, your ideas as a resident play a very important role in the project’s development. It’s important for the community and county officials to pool their ideas together to continue Trinity’s legacy as “The Master-Planned Community.” The design contractor is working on a final design for the project and it will be shared with the community as soon as it’s available.

For several years now, the Trinity Town Center has been a concern for many Trinity area residents.

This development has turned into a bit of a complex controversy and even a source of pain for many people who lost their dreams and/or life’s savings on the project.

The 60 million dollar plan broke ground in March of 2007; however the construction is still visibly unfinished with no end in sight. What was once anticipated to be a great asset to the Trinity community has evolved into an unsightly mess.

The Trinity town center was meant to be a bit of a fresh start for developer Bill Planes, who has a bit of a colorful past. It wasn’t long, however, before the mortgage lender for the town center along with many subcontractors started to sue Planes for lack of payment.

Legal and financial difficulties are not new territory for Planes, who in the later 1980’s served a sentence in federal prison for embezzling more than 140,000 dollars from a struggling mortgage company he was hired to help revive in Hollywood, FL.

He also recently found himself in court regarding a number of insufficiently funded checks along with employee paychecks he allegedly stopped payment on. Based on the history of Bill Planes as a developer, it should come as no surprise that the development of the Trinity Town Center is facing serious financial and legal complications.

Planes is not only in debt to Pasco County, but the IRS also filed $193,000 in liens on his home for unpaid taxes from years 2007-2009.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, as a result of the unfortunate predicament with the Trinity Town Center, many business owners are finding themselves in expensive legal battles to find a way out of their leases in order to start their companies elsewhere.

In late 2010, county commissioners made an agreement with Planes that the condition of the unfinished buildings was to be improved by given deadlines or his development would face demolition soon thereafter.

The established deadlines were indeed met so that the building would not be torn down; now it still stands on the corner of Little Rd. and Trinity Boulevard as an empty, barren reminder of these lengthy proceedings. Although not much progress has been made in the development of the facility in quite some time, according to the court filings, the lawsuit is still very much open.

At one point during construction, there were 22 tenants listed in the Trinity Town Center but many have since sued to get out of their leases and cut their losses. Most of the tenants were small businesses eager to begin making profits rather than large corporate chains that could afford to wait around 3 years for site development.

The Tampa Bay Times interviewed a married couple named Adam and Karen Kantrovitz, who were just a pair of many small business owners who lost a great deal of time and money on this project.

The Kantrovitzes had moved to the Trinity area to pursue their dreams of opening their own tea shop. The couple moved here from Boston and saw the Trinity Town Center as a perfect opportunity for turning their dreams into reality. Unfortunately, the controversial happenings of the development project turned the Katrovitz’s dreams into more of a nightmare.

Like many new, small business owners, 3 years is a long time to wait to get a business plan in motion due to multifaceted delays in venue development.

Trinity Town Center officials are encouraging all parties involved, and even those of us who are simply concerned residents, to remain patient as they sort through these issues and urgently seek out solutions.

For now, questions regarding the current status and future plans for the site go unanswered. It appears as though changes and progress in development are at a standstill until legal and financial dilemmas are resolved.

These prices also help you estimate the cost of living in the Trinity area. Enjoy the trackers and check back often to be sure your favorite gas station is providing you with the best value for your money.

Here are the top 5 ways you can enjoy Starkey Park.

1. Wildlife Observation
2. Hiking/Bicycling
3. Camping/Fishing
4. Starkey Environmental Education Center
5. Family Gathering and Picnicking

As you’ll see, there truly is something for everyone.

(1) Wildlife Observation
At Starkey Park over 150 different species of birds have been reported, making it a perfect place for avid birdwatchers. You’ll find several spots for birdwatchers to check out diverse bird types throughout the park.

In addition to bird species, there are also many different ecosystems and habitats of other wildlife in the park as well. This adds an educational element, making your family’s visit to the park informative yet fun and interesting as well.

(2) Hiking/Biking
Starkey Park has almost 7 miles of paved trails for bikers. This park also connects to the Suncoast Trail which boasts 42 miles of paved trails. At Starkey Park, you’ll also find 27 miles of marked trails for hikers.

Dogs are welcome on the trails but owners are asked to please clean up after their dogs and to use leashes no longer than 6 feet in length at all times. The trails are marked according to the type of course, so if you’re inexperienced with wilderness navigation, it provides a safe learning experience.

For those equestrian enthusiasts out there, Starkey Park has 10 miles of trails available for horseback riding. These trails are equipped with four watering troughs to keep your horse hydrated on your ride. Equestrian camping sites are also available, along with a corral and staging area for safety and convenience.

(3) Camping/Fishing
Although many parks don’t allow overnight camping, Starkey Park welcomes campers to stay. If your family enjoys camping but is too busy to travel outside of the Pasco County area, this would be perfect for you. Both rustic and electric-equipped camping spaces are available.

The park has 16 tent sites, 9 rental cabins, and a large campfire area. Public restrooms and showers are also available for campers to use. Freshwater fishing is somewhat limited; however fishing is permitted along the Anclote and Pithlachascotee rivers. Fishing license requirements do apply so check Florida’s state regulations in order to comply.

(4) The Starkey Environmental Education Center
Starkey Park has a facility called the Starkey Environmental Education Center, which offers educational materials to families and students regarding the natural elements of the park.

The center features an outdoor classroom, a wet/dry lab, a boardwalk near the river, interpretive and orienteering trails, water quality testing, watershed/groundwater activities, and more. This is a great educational opportunity for everyone, especially families, teachers, and students.

(5) Family Gathering and Event Holding
Perhaps one of the greatest features of this park are the great facilities available for family gathering, events, and celebrations. The park offers 5 covered shelters seating up 50 people and 2 large pavilions seating up to 100 people.

You’ll also find playground equipment for the kids, volleyball courts, a large athletic field, picnic grills, and fire rings for bonfires. This area is perfect for family reunions, special events, or celebrations of any kind. Spending time with the family is important; Starkey Park is a wonderful place to gather the family to enjoy a day immersed in nature.

Starkey Park is a wilderness park diversely designed for families, educational organizations, and adventure seekers. All in all, this park is a place full of discovery, adventure, and fun. If you and your family enjoy the great outdoors, you’ll find you have a jewel in your own backyard.