Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve

Public acquisition and funding

Florida Communities Trust’s FY2024–2025 annual report lists project 07-089-FF7, Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve, at 122.59 acres. Its entry reports a $786,060.57 FCT award, $786,060.58 local match and $1,572,121.15 total, with June 6, 2008 in the closing-date column.

These are the agency’s report figures. They do not establish the county deed date, current boundary, access covenants or a specific road obligation.

Source: FCT annual report, PDF page 17.

Why this preserve matters

The verified record documents a publicly supported preserve and a substantial local and state investment. Understanding its access and stewardship requires the project’s grant and management documents, not assumptions based on its name.

Research includes ELAMP, conservation purpose, habitat, wetlands, headwaters and any Ryals Branch connection. Project-specific grant and management records are still needed to describe those obligations precisely. The annual-report local-match figure alone does not prove the source was Penny for Pasco.

Acreage and boundaries

The FCT entry uses 122.59 acres. Approximately 129 acres appears in other preserve descriptions under review. This release does not reconcile those figures or assume a later acquisition. A current boundary map and acquisition file are needed.

Source: Verified 122.59-acre entry.

Public access and earlier improvements

The 2019 FCT status report lists the preserve as open and 100% developed. That is a historical status report, not a statement about today’s maintenance or open facilities.

Source: FCT status report, PDF page 59 / printed page 58.

The county’s IFB-DL-12-009 solicitation was posted October 19, 2011 and closed December 6, 2011. Its stated scope includes a boardwalk, restroom remodel, parking lot and playground fencing. An invitation to bid does not establish an award, completed construction or off-site roadwork.

Source: County-issued preserve-improvements solicitation.

Boardwalk replacement

An August 24, 2026 news report describes a roughly 1,500-foot boardwalk closure and replacement planning for 2027. We have not yet verified the current county contract, budget, design, construction schedule or reopening date. Check county notices before visiting.

Source: Boardwalk replacement reporting.

Still needed: the county investment and funding source, environmental/floodplain design, access and parking scope, and current construction schedule. These are not published here as confirmed figures.

Open question: has Pasco evaluated future preserve visitation and traffic after the replacement boardwalk reopens? We do not assume traffic will increase.

Historic access-road questions

In 2006, Cody McBride raised concerns about proposed preserve access through Kent Grove, intersection safety, drainage and wildlife passage. FDOT’s transcript documents that testimony; it does not validate future traffic or hydraulic predictions.

Source: FDOT report, PDF pages 91–94.