Boat Ramp expansion completed at E.G. Simmons Park
by
MITCH TRAPHAGEN PHOTOS
Boat Ramp expansion completed at E.G. Simmons Park
RUSKIN — Hillsborough County recently completed a major expansion to the boat ramp at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin. The newly completed project doubles the boat ramp launching capacity at this popular park to provide access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This park improvement provides a new 40-foot ramp and two floating docks that increases safety and decreases the time needed for water -enthusiasts to launch and load their watercraft. The new ramps and docks mirror the existing boat ramp facility at the park. The Capital Improvement Project (CIP) was joint-funded with a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Cost of the project was $476,500. Construction began in July and was completed on schedule and on budget in October. Boat launch fees at County ramps are $5 a day or $100 for a yearly pass. Passes are available at the Park Office located at 15502 Morris Bridge Road or by downloading an application from the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Web site at: www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/resources/forms/AnnualPass.pdf. The Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department manages many boat ramps that provide access to both fresh and salt water recreation areas. For a list of boat ramps visit http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/parkservices/BoatWeb.pdf.