SPRING HILL, Fla. — A favorite hangout for both kids and adults in Hernando County is still in need of repairs after Hurricane Idalia.

Pine Island Park has remained closed for months and people are wondering when the county will have it cleaned up and opened again.

What You Need To Know

  • Pine Island Park was damaged by Hurricane Idalia in August

  • Hernando County officials say they have cleared all the debris from the park

  • Officials say they are soliciting bids for contractors to rebuild the park

It was a hopeful holiday pit stop for Frank Kegley and his friend visiting from Canada.

“Just to walk on the beach,” he said. "Look at the water. We get a nice sunset too.”

But like everyone else who’s pulled up to the entrance to Pine Island Park for the last few months, they were disappointed to find it closed.

The beachfront concessions and playground are still damaged by Hurricane Idalia. Joyce Lucas, who lives nearby, says the park got a 1-2 punch from the storm.

“The hurricane was first and then we ended up with those water spouts. Well, one came right up on land right through here,” she said.

The combination of flooding and wind damage left a good portion of the park in shambles. So far, Hernando County government officials have released a statement that reads in part:

“Staff has removed all damaged structures and debris from the site and have prepared the area for construction…and will be soliciting bids from contractors to rebuild Pine Island shortly.”

Now it’s a matter of figuring out when that repair work will begin.  

“I just keep looking on the internet to see if they’re opened yet,” Lucas said. “So, I don’t know.”