Suncoast Bird Sanctuary Could Come to Largo Park

Mired in financial issues and lawsuits, the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary closed its doors to injured birds in February.

Several groups stepped in to help injured aviaries in the Tampa Bay area including Suncoast Bird Rescue, a recently formed non-profit.

Now, leaders with the group are asking Largo for help.

They would like to create space for a rescue facility amid the slash pines, cabbage palms and live oaks at McGough Nature Preserve and will ask city leaders for some space there at a city commission meeting Tuesday.

There would be no cost to the city. Staff is proposing a $1 a year lease on the property, with construction starting once the rescue group fully secured funding for the project and commissioners sign off on the final design.

If city leaders support the partnership, staff would start working on the terms of an agreement that would have to be approved by the city commission at another meeting.

The planned center, in the southeast corner of the park, would have of a main, climate­ controlled hospital as well as an open air, outdoor one. There would also be several screened recovery and rehabilitation flight cages for different types of birds. It also would feature a gift shop, bait hut and display cages.

The location is an area of newly planted upland forest that is free of structures between the front corner of the park and shelter one along Walsingham Road.

The Friends of the Largo Nature Parks support the location and the partnership with Suncoast Bird Rescue, according to city documents.

The addition of a bird rehabilitation facility and flight cages is consistent with the existing displays at the park and having the center there would also add educational displays.

It also could significantly increase the number of new visitors to the park. Several thousand visitors would come monthly to the Indian Shores facility, according to officials.

The proposed partnership would not commit the City of Largo to any capital, personnel or operating costs.

Sign up for the free Largo Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.