New Port Richey City Officials held a Grand Re-Opening celebration at Sims Park last Saturday morning. The opening featured a new playground with a new rubberized surface, a new splash pad, lots of new covered areas, and many winding, brick-lined sidewalks, as well as live music.

The final cost of the project stands at $2,633,359 and still requires the installation of some additional landscaping. Landscapers placed sod late during the final phase of construction. Sod is usually placed during late spring in Florida to take advantage of the beginning of Florida’s rainy season. It did not appear that irrigation for the sod or landscape had been installed.

The playground and splash pad have continued to see brisk attendance throughout the week. The City Council is currently considering a proposal to install large LED display screens in the park.