A $65,000 feasibility study of the Weeki Wachee Preserve is causing quite the commotion in Hernando County. 

While some residents say the area needs to adapt to its growing population, others want to keep the area as it is. 

When you look around the preserve, you see a lot mature trees and waterways. Some residents even say they’ve seen panthers, bears and other slithering creatures

Jodie Pillarella said she moved to Florida specifically to be in the Hernando Beach area.

“We need to protect their environment. We need to protect it for our children,” she said.

But county commissioners are looking to bring more recreational activities to the area. 

At the April 27 Hernando County Commission meeting, they voted 4-0 to move forward with the study

“Hernando County has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last 15 to 20 years and with that is coming a reduction in  opportunities for recreation,” Commissioner John Allocco said.

He added that, through a feasibility study, the county will be able to determine if and how it can put beach access, a boardwalk from Linda Pedersen Park to the Weeki Wachee Preserve and other water activities. 

Residents like Mike Fulford agree that the study is needed.

“It is a documented process to allow everyone to have a voice,” Fulford said. "There are some in the community, mainly some of the newer residents and some of the younger residents, that are looking for improvements.”

Fulford said he’s very familiar with the area. He’s been visiting since the 90s and built his home on Hernando Beach in 2016. 

Residents who’ve lived along the preserve for a decade or so say the possible added recreation would cause unwanted traffic

Dr. John Paul Reeve and his wife Kelly have lived in the area for more 10 years. 

They told Spectrum Bay News 9 the preserve is the reason they made Hernando Beach home. 

“We got two small roads that go north and south, and that’s just going to be a total nightmare,” he said, explaining that Shoal Line road is the only way to and from homes in the area. It’s important to note that Shoal Line road is a one lane road in both directions. 

Residents say this area already has the recreational activity space that the county is looking to add. There used to be a swimming area that was shut down by the county, so now they’re asking why officials won’t what’s already there rather than adding something new.

“We all utilize the businesses here,” Dr. Reeve said. “In fact, that’s really what we would like to have it — where we could age in place and have businesses that cater to our needs here. And that would be excellent.”

This is not the first time a conversation about bring recreational activities to the area has been brought up. It was first discussed by Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), the property owners, in 1997. 

The county has already allocated funds to move forward with the study, however results won’t be seen for possibly another year. 

Fulford said the funds have been budgeted to conduct the study using Park Impact Fees. These are funds that already exist so there need for new tax payer funds to conduct the study.