Author Topic: J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park (Read 4451 times)

ProEdgeBiker · « **on:** February 22, 2010, 09:58:14 AM »

Just wondering, is there plans to make some MTB trails in J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park?

this dude i work with told me he saw some SWAMPers out there and was told that there were plans in the works.

Funny thing is that if you go to http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/starkey-park.html the 1st picture that pops up is MTBing in the woods but i know people that have been told to get off the off-road trails.

C.

Paintboy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:30:15 AM »

I live right by there. And been using that park since it opened. it would great if they did open the trails up . but for now those trails you speaking about are for hiking only.. If you would like to ride head north on the power lines and you will run into the sorenova tract.that has alot area that you can ride . That would be a great area to develop in to some trails..

Darrinw2001 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:38:31 AM »

As far as I know SWFWMD is not very keen on letting outsider groups into their properties to make or manage trails. The only exception that I know of is Wilderness parks and that is due to Hillsborough county managing the area. I know that a lot of their properties have multi-use trails that allow biking, but they are shared with equestrians and hikers and usually are not single-track but forest type roads that are not much fun to ride.

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:04:31 AM »

then their website has some False Advertising by slapping a pic of an MTBer..

Singletrack Samurai · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:22:26 AM »

Quote from: Darrinw2001 on February 22, 2010, 10:38:31 AM

As far as I know SWFWMD is not very keen on letting outsider groups into their properties to make or manage trails. The only exception that I know of is Wilderness parks and that is due to Hillsborough county managing the area. I know that a lot of their properties have multi-use trails that allow biking, but they are shared with equestrians and hikers and usually are not single-track but forest type roads that are not much fun to ride.

Have you seen the pictures? Those guys look pretty happy!

Scott · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2010, 12:26:56 PM »

I spoke with some one in the know to be named at a later date

last year about this very subject. They were plotting trails, not sure where they're at currently with this project.

Alan · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2010, 12:32:56 PM »

Quote from: Singletrack Samurai on February 22, 2010, 11:22:26 AM

Quote from: Darrinw2001 on February 22, 2010, 10:38:31 AM
As far as I know SWFWMD is not very keen on letting outsider groups into their properties to make or manage trails. The only exception that I know of is Wilderness parks and that is due to Hillsborough county managing the area. I know that a lot of their properties have multi-use trails that allow biking, but they are shared with equestrians and hikers and usually are not single-track but forest type roads that are not much fun to ride.

Have you seen the pictures? Those guys look pretty happy!

Only the roadies look happy. Paved roads through the forest make them happy.

Back when I was in the Boy Scouts we spent a weekend up at this park (this was back in the early to mid 90's). At the time they had a huge paved loop similar to Flatwoods and a bunch of offroad multi-use singletrack trails as well. A few of us did some trail riding and didn't run into any issues with getting kicked out. The only issue we did run into was one of our leaders got closelined by a piece of unmarked barbed wire that was drawn across the trail at about eye level. Luckily he only had a few deep cuts...nothing serious.

Scott · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2010, 12:57:56 PM »

The paved section is still there and accessable off the Suncoast trail about 2 miles North of 54, it is a nice section of trail about 7 miles one way with facilities at the park end

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2010, 01:04:10 PM »

Quote from: Alan on February 22, 2010, 12:32:56 PM

Quote from: Singletrack Samurai on February 22, 2010, 11:22:26 AM
Quote from: Darrinw2001 on February 22, 2010, 10:38:31 AM
As far as I know SWFWMD is not very keen on letting outsider groups into their properties to make or manage trails. The only exception that I know of is Wilderness parks and that is due to Hillsborough county managing the area. I know that a lot of their properties have multi-use trails that allow biking, but they are shared with equestrians and hikers and usually are not single-track but forest type roads that are not much fun to ride.

Have you seen the pictures? Those guys look pretty happy!

Only the roadies look happy. Paved roads through the forest make them happy.

Back when I was in the Boy Scouts we spent a weekend up at this park (this was back in the early to mid 90's). At the time they had a huge paved loop similar to Flatwoods and a bunch of offroad multi-use singletrack trails as well. A few of us did some trail riding and didn't run into any issues with getting kicked out. The only issue we did run into was one of our leaders got closelined by a piece of unmarked barbed wire that was drawn across the trail at about eye level. Luckily he only had a few deep cuts...nothing serious.

Well i hope you guys were prepared.

1st off by having your Cycling & your Fist Aid Badges:

Then you would of Gotten the Medicine Badge:

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2010, 01:07:00 PM »

Quote from: Scott on February 22, 2010, 12:57:56 PM

The paved section is still there and accessable off the Suncoast trail about 2 miles North of 54, it is a nice section of trail about 7 miles one way with facilities at the park end

when i do suncoast i go from 54 to 52 then into the park 5mi in and out to get 30mi total. it would be nice if they made some off road trails in there.

Harvey · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2010, 03:03:22 PM »

Funny this should pop up when I was exploring out there yesterday. There are trails in the works. They have been approved in an area south of the Anclote River in the tract. We went out there with some directions to get to a defunct bridge over the river, but the river is so high we couldn't get to where we could climb onto the bridge to cross. We left by heading south on the powerline cut and left that in Longleaf. There are mega roads out there, which I am going to explore more extensively with my GPS in the near future.

The official word is that as soon as SWFMUD rebuilds the bridge, we'll be able to start cutting trails. Don't know what that timeframe is, though.

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2010, 06:43:28 PM »

Quote from: Harvey on February 22, 2010, 03:03:22 PM

Funny this should pop up when I was exploring out there yesterday. There are trails in the works. They have been approved in an area south of the Anclote River in the tract. We went out there with some directions to get to a defunct bridge over the river, but the river is so high we couldn't get to where we could climb onto the bridge to cross. We left by heading south on the powerline cut and left that in Longleaf. There are mega roads out there, which I am going to explore more extensively with my GPS in the near future.

The official word is that as soon as SWFMUD rebuilds the bridge, we'll be able to start cutting trails. Don't know what that timeframe is, though.

HELLS YES!

Skinman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2010, 06:48:08 PM »

That would be the closest trail system to my house if they do. There is a nice Orienteering course at Stakey as well. Great for teaching my scouts. Its a huge tract of land. Would be nice to have some place to carve that wasnt 45 minutes away!

Paintboy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:43:30 PM »

Skinman

Is that orienteering course for everybody?

Singletrack Samurai · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:44:45 PM »

Quote from: Skinman on February 22, 2010, 06:48:08 PM

That would be the closest trail system to my house if they do. There is a nice Orienteering course at Stakey as well. Great for teaching my scouts. Its a huge tract of land. Would be nice to have some place to carve that wasnt 45 minutes away!

google map satellite image, you would be surprised what you find close by to ride...

FACTORe · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:48:10 PM »

I ride my road bike up in that area

mksandoz · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:06:31 PM »

Quote from: Singletrack Samurai on February 24, 2010, 03:44:45 PM

google map satellite image, you would be surprised what you find close by to ride...

LOTS of ROADS! yay! hehe

Harvey · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2010, 06:44:28 AM »

Quote from: ProEdgeBiker.com on February 22, 2010, 09:58:14 AM

this dude i work with told me he saw some SWAMPers out there and was told that there were plans in the works.

I just re-read this and realized that was me, Maria and Nuccio. I had my SWAMP jersey on that day. Maybe not such a good idea when I'm poaching "trails".

Quote from: Singletrack Samurai on February 24, 2010, 03:44:45 PM

google map satellite image, you would be surprised what you find close by to ride...

Exactly what I have in mind for that area. My explorations will definitely get the Koach Karlos stamp of approval.

Skinman · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2010, 07:07:55 AM »

Quote from: Paintboy on February 24, 2010, 03:43:30 PM

Skinman

Is that orienteering course for everybody?

Yes it is!!

Dave In Odessa · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2010, 01:21:52 PM »

Can someone keep us posted when the process resumes? That's 10 minutes from the house, so I'd love to help build some trails out there.

That place is flat, but it doesn't seem to sit very low, so I doubt the rainy season would be an issue there.

Paintboy · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2010, 07:53:57 PM »

Hey Dave all swamp trails started from illegal trail building . You in ??

Skinman · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2010, 09:14:09 PM »

I'm in

Dave In Odessa · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2010, 09:48:29 PM »

Illegal is my middle name.

Big-E · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2011, 03:08:16 PM »

Only Bringing this up cause it came up in the ol Shoutbox today. Any word on this, Has been about a year since it was last posted. This would be great since i know a bunch of us live w/out 15 mins of Starkey!

Thanks,

Big-E

Now sporting full squish!

Dave In Odessa · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:53:47 PM »

I don't know of any updates. I go to school in New Port Richey now so I drive by Starkey Park every day. I would LOVE to do some trail riding in there.

CrazyWhiteGuy · « **Reply #25 on:** April 03, 2011, 01:14:42 AM »

I've been outta the loop for a while but I seem to recall a lot of people not being wild about opening more trails when we can't even take care of the ones we already have. The people at Starkey have been talking for several years about cutting some trails. Its good to see so many SWAMPers are local though, that'd make trail work a whole lot easier.

Big-E · « **Reply #26 on:** April 04, 2011, 11:18:49 AM »

The problem with folks who live in south Pasco or North Pinellas is it takes 1 hr to 90 mins to hit most of the trails.. Starkey is what 15/20 mins away if that. When we only have a few hrs to ride its hard to help out with Trail work. Starkey would be great...

later,

Big-E

CrazyWhiteGuy · « **Reply #27 on:** April 05, 2011, 12:18:54 AM »

I completely agree. Starkey is only a few blocks from my house. Ive hiked around a lot of starkey and even done a MTB race there(was complete hell, sugar sand all the way). If we can get the man power and the clearance I'm game tough.

Big-E · « **Reply #28 on:** January 01, 2012, 11:40:46 AM »

Sweet this will become a reality per the newsletter!!!!!! WTG SWAMP!!!

Big-E

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #29 on:** January 01, 2012, 11:55:27 AM »

Quote from: Big-E on January 01, 2012, 11:40:46 AM

Sweet this will become a reality per the newsletter!!!!!! WTG SWAMP!!!

Big-E

+1

cgarolr · « **Reply #30 on:** January 02, 2012, 10:19:49 PM »

I didn't get the newsletter....any ideas as to the type of trails and/or difficulty level?

News:

Author Topic: J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park (Read 4451 times)