We are a community of runners, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts who rely on safe, accessible places to stay active and healthy. A running track is a valuable resource for exercise, but public access to one is difficult to find in our area. The Starkey Ranch community in Odessa, Florida includes a district park, library, and K-8 school, which incorporated a shared-use agreement that would allow access to the school's facilities during non-school hours. When the school opened in Fall of 2021, the track was easily accessible when school was not in session. This was a significant asset for the running community, as there were no publicly accessible tracks in all of Pasco County prior to this. However, within a few months the school fenced it off and locked it up. Since then, public use of the track at Starkey K-8 is only offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-8pm and Saturdays from 10am-2pm, which coincides with the open gymnasium schedule offered by Pasco Parks and Rec. These limited hours make it nearly impossible for many of us to use it, particularly for those who need to schedule their workouts in the early morning to balance work, family, and other responsibilities. Additionally, even during the current scheduled hours the track usually remains locked, as Parks and Rec requires that one must request access at the gymnasium lobby, which further hampers easy accessibility to the track.

What's more, Florida's heat and humidity make daytime and evening exercise dangerous and unsustainable, especially in the summer months. The sun is often still blazing during the current evening hours, making conditions far from ideal for safe running or walking. That's why we're asking for the simple addition of one early morning access slot - just one weekday from 5-6am - before school begins. This small change would make a huge difference. It would allow residents to train safely, build healthy habits, and take advantage of cooler morning temperatures. There is a strong and growing running community in our area that would benefit from this. We're not asking for full-time access, just a thoughtful compromise that supports community health without disrupting school operations.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to stay active in a safe environment. Please support our request for expanded hours and help us make the track work for everyone.