Longtime New Port Richey resident Joan Hook spoke to New Port Richey City Council on April 21st about the historic pink color of the sidewalks that used to identify the North River neighborhood in New Port Richey along River Road. “[They were] remnants from when our area used to be part of a golf course,” Hook said.

Council members took Hook’s suggestion to heart and say that they’re ready to restore the sidewalks back to their original pink. Some of the pink sections of the sidewalk already exist, so city workers will match a stain color to the existing sections, repair broken areas, and paint it all pink.

The City also plans to look at historic stone lamp posts in the area. Hook said during the meeting that there were two, but originally there were four according to Councilman Jeff Starkey. He said one had been destroyed when a car collided with it. The council members wanted to see them restored, rebuilt, and maintained. The posts are along Park Drive near Palmetto Road.

The lights were originally electrified stone posts, and council members said they’d like to see them back in working order. New Port Richey has struggled with a brand and identity effort in the last few years amid an economic downturn. The town has found itself as an atypical “bedroom community” for more affluent and developing surrounding areas.

City officials released a map Friday of the area where sidewalks will be renovated. The area is substantially large, and includes all of Park Drive and River Road south of Jasmine Drive. Dotted lines indicate areas where the sidewalk has previously been replaced and are no longer pink.