Walk the Solar System at Starkey Park Soon

Exploring our solar system will soon be as simple as taking a trip to Starkey Park, in a way.

A scale model of the solar system that kids and adults can explore on foot is coming to the New Port Richey area park.

The From the Sun to Pluto solar system exhibit is a new feature to be added on a mile of bike path in Starkey Park. On Sept. 8, Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri will visit to cut the ribbon on the exhibit in an opening ceremony. The ceremony is at 11 a.m.

From the Sun to Pluto features two-dimensional graphic art representations of planets, Pluto and the sun and placards providing information.

The art was donated by Land O’ Lakes artist Gordon Engebretson. 

The exhibit was created by Investigation Station, a mobile children’s museum  that serves kids in Pasco County.

“I am so excited because this has been a dream of mine for years,” said Lisa Campos, director of Investigation Station.

The exhibit carried a cost of $17,000, Campos said. 

“(The exhibit) is going to be very, very interesting and fun at the same time,” Campos said.

Prints of  the artwork in the exhibit will also be auctioned off at a separate event, and proceeds will benefit Investigation Station, which is a nonprofit.

Starkey Park is located at 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey and is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m