Pasco County Greenways and Trails Update

By Tina Russo, FGTF Board Member

The past 50 years have been a time of significant growth for Pasco County. Between 1970 and 2020 the County’s population nearly tripled in size. The estimated population for 2023 is 598,000, and although traditionally a rural, agricultural-based county, Pasco is becoming more diverse in employment opportunities and median age. All indicators point to the need for continued connection and expansion of recreational and multimodal transportation opportunities for an increasing number of families.

Aerial view of the green trail and the surrounding environment.

Today, the County has nearly 300 miles of paved and unpaved trails, with over 150 plus miles of paved trails and multi-use paths.

Pasco's past accomplishments include the Starkey Park Trail that connects to the Suncoast Trail and the Starkey Gap Trail (fall of 2020), which are a major portion of the Coast 2 Coast Trail. These three segments of trail traverse Pasco County from the southern end to the northern end of the County.

Starkey Gap Trail Ribbon Cutting

The Starkey Park Trail, which connects to the popular Suncoast Trail, recently received some new improvements including the park trail resurfacing (7.5 miles) and a new restroom and shelter near the junction with the Suncoast Trail.

An aerial view of the park trail resurfacing.

A new restroom and shelter near the junction with the Suncoast Trail.

Pasco County is currently conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study and Trail Segmentation Plan for the Orange Belt Trail (OBT). The OBT is a proposed regional multiuse trail project to span approximately 37 miles across Pasco County. The OBT is proposed to be 12-14 foot wide paved multi-use trail that will generally follow the path of the Orange Belt Railway. This is the same railway that the Pinellas Trail follows, and most of the Coast 2 Coast Trail.