Pasco to Buy 153 Acres South of Wesley Chapel District Park to Expand Park Space

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Pasco County commissioners have approved a contract to buy about 153 acres directly south of Wesley Chapel District Park, a purchase county parks officials say will relieve a facility that has been at capacity for years. The Board of County Commissioners approved the agreement unanimously at its Oct. 20 meeting.

How the Purchase Works

The land, known as the Hopkins property, sits directly south of the district park and immediately south of a utilities property. Under the sale and purchase agreement, the county will buy it in four phases over four years. Each phase is roughly 39 acres.

The first phase, in fiscal year 2027, will be paid for from the county’s parks impact fee facility and land categories. The contract lets commissioners decide each fiscal year whether to proceed with later phases. The reports don’t disclose a purchase price.

Why the County Wants It

Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director Keith Wiley told commissioners the district park has been over capacity for a long time and that east Pasco needs more fields and park space. He said the nearby Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus functions more as a tourism asset than a public park, so it doesn’t fill the gap. Pasco is also working on parks in the Villages of Pasadena Hills and Two Rivers.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano called the purchase a great addition that also eases some of the development pressure in the area.

What Happens Next

The county hasn’t said how it will pay to build facilities on the land. Wiley noted that without the land, a park can’t be built. A planned “vision road” runs through the property, and commissioners asked about road access. Wiley said meetings are already scheduled to discuss a possible realignment, and that it won’t affect the park or future improvements. Mariano said transportation funds could cover the road if it becomes part of the county’s roadway network.

About the District Park

Wesley Chapel District Park opened in 2007 as a $20 million project at the southwest corner of Boyette and Overpass roads. It now covers 145 acres, with athletic fields, basketball and tennis courts, walking trails, an all-abilities playground, a street hockey rink and a 17,800-square-foot indoor recreation center built in 2021.

📍 South of Wesley Chapel District Park, near Boyette and Overpass roads, Wesley Chapel, FL 

📅 Approved Oct. 20, 2026 | First phase funded in FY2027 

🌐 Source: Tampa Bay Beacons; Pasco County Board of County Commissioners