Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources has completed its 100th land acquisition through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. On Friday, October 17, the county closed on the former Camp Venice RV Resort property at 4085 E. Venice Ave. in Venice.
The 20-acre site sits along the Myakka River, adjacent to Snook Haven Park and near Sleeping Turtles Preserve South. About six acres include mesic hammock and riverine habitat with native vegetation such as oaks, southern red cedar, cabbage palm, beautyberry and wild coffee. The property had operated as a campground for 40 years.
Plans call for reopening it as a riverfront campground with improved utilities, better accessibility, and new connections to Snook Haven Park and other nearby preserves.
Funding for the acquisition came through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program and the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program. Both voter-approved, taxpayer-funded initiatives were created to protect natural lands and parklands under Sarasota County’s Land Acquisition and Management Program. This marks the first joint purchase between the two programs.
“This acquisition highlights the county’s ongoing commitment to preserving diverse ecosystems and continuing the legacy of conservation for our community. It’s especially meaningful to reach this milestone during the 25th anniversary year of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program,” said Nicole Rissler, director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.
Since 2000, more than 42,000 acres have been protected through the program, including 32 environmentally sensitive areas. The lands provide habitat for native and threatened species such as gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, manatees and a variety of native plants.
Residents are invited to celebrate the milestone at Sarasota County’s Environmental Lands Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 15 at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve (South Entrance), 10201 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.
More information is available at SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions
