Sims Park
George R. Sims, one of New Port Richey’s earliest promoters, donated Sims Park (then named Enchantment Park) to the City in 1924. He died in 1954, and in accordance with his instructions, he was buried about 50 feet from Orange Lake without a tombstone - just a redbud tree to mark the spot. (However, his remains were moved to a cemetery some years later.) Sims Park is protected by New Port Richey’s very first ordinance, and because of Ordinance One, the park will remain the people’s park forever. Dogs are welcome in the park and around Orange Lake on a leash.
Amenities & Features:
- Boat dock
- Band shell/Amphitheater
- Riverfront walk
- ADA Accessible Kayak/Canoe launch, open from Sunrise to 11:00PM daily
- Children’s playground
- Open green space
- Public restrooms
- Free parking
- 5 Pavilions (2 with grills)
- Paved paths
- Wheelchair-accessible
- Dog friendly
Splash Pad
The splash pad located at Sims Park is open daily from 9:00AM until 30 minutes before sunset. Before the splash pad opens on Mondays & Fridays, City crews drain and refill the pad to maintain safe levels in the water, along with testing (3) three times daily. Keep in mind when visiting the Splash Pad, weather changes such as lightning, within a 10 mile radius, and outside temperatures dropping below 55º may cause it to open later or close early that day. State requirements for unforeseen sanitation issues and accidents, may cause the pad to close early also. You may review the Florida Health Department Chapter 64E-9 for Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places for precise details.
