BY MICHELE MILLER
What’s What New Port Richey
For years I drove past the sign for James E. Grey Preserve on Rowan Road, never venturing in until a work assignment brought me there.
Turns out a right or left turn off the beaten path can lead to a serendipitous surprise; a careful trek through a residential neighborhood that’s slowed by speed bumps and a yellow “Tortoise Crossing” sign that gives hint of encounters to come.
The 80-acre city park is what the regulars call a “hidden treasure.”
It’s a place of tranquility and natural beauty that offers kayak and canoe access to the Pithlachascotee River and a hike through upland scrub habitat along a tree-canopied wooden boardwalk with a scenic overlook. There are resting places along the way offering park bench views of Florida fauna and wildlife including turtles sunning themselves on the muddy banks or perhaps, on a fallen branch resting over the tannin-stained, black-water river.
The preserve is a close-to-home getaway for strollers, fishers, kayakers, bird watchers and camera bugs who want to catch that coveted shot in a place where a cardinal’s call might blend with the sound of a running lawn mower emanating from the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Happening on a gopher tortoise or two or three is a given. If you keep an eye out, you’ll see their burrows not far off the uplands trail.
No swimming, bikes or dogs allowed, but the fishing’s not bad.
That’s according to a frequent visitor named John, a retired photographer who makes a Thursday morning habit of hanging at the overlook to chat it up with regulars and newbies stopping to take in the view.
PHOTO GALLERY
“There’s sheepshead, snook, mullet, bass and bluegill in the brackish water and longnose gar that get to be big as your leg,” he says, adding, “A lot of people don’t know about this place.”
Even so, it’s a noted destination for Florida hikers and trekkers of the Florida Birding Trail. Some 150 record species on the birding checklist can be found here.
In February 2020, the New Port Richey City Council approved $108,000 in engineering services to design a second entrance and build amenities along a 7 acre swath of city land along Congress Street. (New Port Richey expands access to city preserve, Tampa Bay Times)
That will make the preserve a walk-able entryway for residents in other local neighborhoods, and students and teachers at the nearby Gulf Middle School, who could use it as an outdoor classroom.
The park made the news in March when the New Port Richey City Library celebrated the installation of StoryWalk, a local off-shoot of a larger family-friendly reading initiative. It features a quarter-mile journey through nature and a book that can be read at staggered kiosks starting not far from the playground and picnic area.
I came out for that ribbon cutting and wrote that story.
Happy to report, I’ve been back since. Partly to write this follow-up, but also for the simple pleasure of hiking through a hidden natural treasure that’s close to home.
James E. Grey Preserve is located at 6938 Plathe Road, New Port Richey. Free Entry. Features two hiking trails, 1/4 mile Storywalk, canoe and kayak access to the Pithlachascotee River. Playground, picnic area, bathroom facilities. No dogs. No swimming, No biking on trails.
Contact Michele Miller at mmiller@whatswhatnewportrichey.com
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