NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Construction is underway on a boardwalk around Orange Lake. When the $1.2 million project is complete, it will bring an end to the major work to improve Sims Park that city leaders say began back in 2015.

  • Work follows about $3.5 million in previous improvements
  • Mayor: "Night and day difference"
  • Project expected to be completed in December

“There is absolutely an excitement in New Port Richey. You can feel it,” said Mayor Rob Marlowe.

Crews will build two half-circle boardwalks around the east and west sides of the lake, complete with overlooks and open shelters. The current focus, however, is on drainage.

“This is a system that’s going to catch trash,” said Allan Miklavcic, a superintendent with Augustine Construction, of the large pipes workers were installing several feet underground recently. “So many residents put leaves down the drains, they don’t have a problem throwing plastic, whatever down in there. Everybody knows it gets into the sea life.”

The work follows about $3.5 million in previous improvements, including the installation of a splash pad, new playgrounds, shade structures, and video screens for the park’s amphitheater.

“Before the improvements, Sims Park was just made out of wood and metal,” said park visitor Ashley Disney. “During the summer, it became too hot for some of the kids to play on it.”

“It’s night and day difference,” Marlowe said of the changes. “You’d rarely see more than five or six people in the park at any given time. Now, any day that it’s not pouring down rain and thundering, you probably could have 200 or more people there.”

Jackie Cowley of Port Richey recently took her grandchildren for a trip to the park’s splash pad. She said they usually come about once a week, and the park isn’t their only stop while in town.

“We walk down the Main Street. We do a lot of window shopping,” Cowley said.

According to the mayor, local businesses have taken note of that extra foot traffic.

“The excitement that people have seen in the park with everything here is part of what’s gotten some of the folks that are interested in opening businesses interested in opening them in downtown New Port Richey,” Marlowe said. “They see a vibrant place with a lot of people out, and they want to be part of it.”  

Work on the boardwalk is expected to be complete in December.