The popular playground at Sims Park is temporarily closing for maintenance

If your summer survival strategy involves taking the kids to Sims Park and letting them burn off enough energy to sleep through the night, you'll need a backup plan this week.

The City of New Port Richey has announced that the playground at Sims Park will temporarily close beginning Monday, June 8, for maintenance and repairs. Officials have not yet announced a reopening date.

Located along the Pithlachascotee River in downtown New Port Richey, Sims Park has become one of West Pasco's most popular destinations for families from New Port Richey, Trinity, Holiday, and beyond. On any given day, you'll find kids climbing, sliding, and testing the limits of playground physics while parents attempt to keep up.

While the closure may disappoint some young park-goers, the maintenance is designed to keep the playground safe and in good condition for the thousands of families who visit each year.

Tarpon Springs officials are reminding residents that hurricane season preparation starts long before a storm appears on the map

Hurricane season officially began on June 1, and Tarpon Springs officials are encouraging residents to use the calm weather as an opportunity to prepare.

As a coastal community along the Gulf, Tarpon Springs faces unique risks during hurricane season, including storm surge, flooding, and extended power outages. City leaders are urging residents to review evacuation plans, check insurance coverage, restock emergency supplies, and make sure important documents are easily accessible.

It's a familiar message, but one that Florida residents know is worth repeating. Every year, people promise they'll prepare earlier. Every year, somebody ends up shopping for bottled water while a tropical storm is already headed toward the Gulf.

The good news is there are currently no immediate threats to Florida. The better news is that preparation is much easier when the forecast is quiet. Because once a storm is on the map, the lines get longer, the shelves get emptier, and the decisions get harder.

For now, the Gulf is calm. That's exactly when hurricane preparation should begin.

Your Restaurant Here

New dish? New spot? Get plugged in here. Put your specials in front of 20,000+ local food lovers across New Port Richey, Trinity, and Holiday.

Only 20 spots for the year. Restaurants, food trucks, cafés, even neighborhood pop-ups—if you’re serving it, we’ll spotlight it.

Get plugged in. Reserve your spot today: [email protected] 

(Coming Soon)

Find a Service Pro

(Coming Soon)