Starkey Ranch, Florida

Last updated

Starkey Ranch
USA Florida location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Starkey Ranch
Location within the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°12′11.63″N82°36′37.89″W / 28.2032306°N 82.6105250°W / 28.2032306; -82.6105250
Country United States
State Florida
County Pasco
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)

Starkey Ranch, commonly referred to as Starkey, is an unincorporated community in Pasco County, Florida. [1] The community is a master-planned community along SR-54 by Wheelock Communities.

Contents

Neighborhoods

Starkey Ranch has 9 major neighborhoods: [2]

Arts and culture

Libraries

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center is the only library in Starkey. It is on the Starkey Ranch K-8 campus, and is a part of the Pasco County Library Cooperative. [3]

Parks and recreation

Parks

Starkey Ranch District Park is the biggest park in Starkey Ranch, next to Starkey Ranch K-8. While the park is not fully finished, the park currently offers 5 softball fields, 3 multi-purpose fields, 2 concession stands, 4 pavilions, and a playground. [4]

History

A plaque erected by the Starkey family in Starkey Ranch Starkey Ranch Founder Sign.jpg
A plaque erected by the Starkey family in Starkey Ranch

In 1922, Jay Starkey bought 10 acres of what is now Starkey Ranch, for a ranch. Over the decades, he expanded his ranch to over 16,000 acres, with a goal to preserve a majority of the ranch. After his death, Jay Starkey Jr. eventually sold the majority of the ranch's land to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD); the land became the Jay B Starkey Wilderness Preserve. [5] In 2013, Wheelock Communities bought the last 2,500 acres of Starkey Ranch to construct a master planned community, preserving some of the land for green space and miles of trails. [6]

Education

The public school system for Starkey Ranch is Pasco County Schools.

As of May 2025, Starkey Ranch K-8 is the only school in the community and serves as the communities elementary school and middle school. [7] While not in the community, River Ridge High School serves as their zoned high school. [8] Creative World is one of the communities Pre-K school, though not apart of Pasco County Schools. [2]

The STEAM / STEM Magnet Program Pathways for Starkey Ranch are James M. Marlowe Elementary, Bayonet Point Middle, and Wendell Krinn Technical High School. [9]

References

  1. "Starkey Ranch | Neighborhood Guide". annebromberg.com. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Starkey Ranch". Starkey Communities. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  3. "Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center | Pasco County Libraries". www.pascolibraries.org. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  4. "Starkey Ranch District Park - Pasco County | District Park Site Plan". Andreasen Design. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  5. Bedard, Diane (June 30, 2021). "Leaving a Natural Legacy in the Family Tradition: Heartwood Preserve -". NatureCoaster.com. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  6. "The History of Starkey Ranch | Welcome to Better - M/I Homes". www.mihomes.com. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  7. "Starkey Ranch K-8 |" . Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  8. "Elementary School Boundaries 2025-2026". dsbpc.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  9. Goodyear, Celia (April 15, 2023). "Building Skills, Attracting Jobs". Guide to Greater Tampa Bay. Retrieved May 11, 2025.