Facility Overview
Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, affectionately known to locals as Green Key Beach, is a scenic 45-acre Pasco County coastal park located directly on the Gulf of Mexico at the terminus of Green Key Road in New Port Richey, Florida. The park features an open-air surface parking lot situated right alongside the beachfront, mangroves, and recreation pavilions. Because the facility is entirely outdoors at grade level, there are no vertical clearance restrictions or low-hanging overhead barriers, making it exceptionally accommodating for standard passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and vehicles carrying rooftop cargo such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Designated accessible parking spaces are positioned close to paved access pathways leading directly to the boardwalk, picnic areas, and shoreline.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Serving as one of western Pasco County\'s premier coastal retreats, this parking facility places visitors steps away from the water. Key attractions within immediate walking distance or a short drive include:
- Robert K. Rees Beach & Boardwalk: Immediate access (1-minute walk) to 650 feet of sandy beach, wading waters, and a wooden boardwalk path with a two-deck observation tower offering panoramic views of the Gulf and dolphin sightings.
- Canoe & Kayak Launch: Direct on-site access to the coastal paddling trails winding through coastal mangrove estuaries.
- Downtown New Port Richey: Located approximately 2.5 miles east (a 6 to 8-minute drive), featuring historic Main Street, Sims Park on the Cotee River, the Richey Suncoast Theatre, and diverse local eateries and craft breweries.
- James E. Grey Preserve: An 80-acre nature preserve on the Pithlachascotee River located roughly 4.5 miles inland.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Vehicle entry and exit are straightforward via Green Key Road, a scenic, two-lane causeway that cuts west across coastal marshlands from US Highway 19 directly to the park gates. Motorists traveling north or south through the Tampa Bay region can easily reach the park via US-19, turning west onto Marine Parkway or Main Street, then following Green Key Road westward to its terminus. Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) Route 19 operates along the US-19 corridor, from which visitors can reach the park via a short rideshare or bicycle trip. Traffic flow is generally calm on weekdays, though egress can see minor slowdowns at sunset when many visitors depart simultaneously.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Paved open-air surface parking bays with clear striping and maneuvering lanes.
- Dedicated ADA-accessible parking spaces adjacent to boardwalk access points.
- Pay-and-display automated kiosks accepting major credit and debit cards, along with mobile payment support.
- Unrestricted vertical clearance suitable for tall vehicles and roof-mounted watercraft.
- On-site public park amenities including modern restrooms, outdoor showers, covered picnic shelters with barbecue grills, and a children\'s playground.
- Boardwalk and observation deck with coastal wildlife viewing opportunities.
Ideal For
- Beachgoers, sunbathers, and families looking for direct Gulf beach access.
- Kayakers, canoeists, and stand-up paddleboarders needing convenient launch proximity.
- Birdwatchers and nature photographers exploring native coastal shorebirds and marine life.
- Sunset watchers seeking an unobstructed western horizon over the Gulf of Mexico.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Robert K. Rees Memorial Park operates from dawn to dusk, and the entrance gate is secured each evening at sunset. A modest Pasco County daily parking fee (typically $2.00) applies; display your receipt clearly on the front dashboard or follow instructions on mobile pay kiosks to avoid a citation. The lot fills up quickly on warm weekend afternoons and major holidays, so planning an arrival before 10:30 AM or in the late afternoon before sunset is strongly recommended to secure a prime parking bay.
