Lemon Bay Park 9

LEMON BAY PARK

570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood

Also features: Nature trails and boardwalks overlooking the bay. This park offers indoor and outdoor reservable space/pavilions. Visit scgov.net (keyword: reservations) or contact 941-861-PARK (7275).

ACTIVITIES

LEMON BAY F.I.S.H. PROJECT

Year-round / Ages: 8 and up / Fee: Free / Park / Second Saturday of every month, 9:30-11 a.m. Get a little wet, have a little fun, learn a lot! Join American Littoral Society biologist Chuck Idelberger on a search for marine life in Lemon Bay. Using hand and seine nets, you will search shallow waters and seagrass beds, observing, collecting and discussing the natural history of some of the many interesting fishes and other animals that inhabit the bay. For registration, call Chuck Idelberger at 941-488-8998.

SPECIAL EVENTS

WORLD SNAKE DAY

July 14 / Ages: 12 and up / Fee: Free / Meet in large meeting room / Friday, 1-2:30 p.m. Beat the heat and join us for an indoor presentation focused on examining one of the oldest mythological creatures. Learning will focus on the history of man’s fascination and fear. In the natural world, snakes perform valuable environmental services that benefit other species and even the human population. Live snakes will also be present for viewing and native species identification. To register, email Nathalie at ndsmith@scgov.net. For more information, call 941-861-PARK.

CULTURAL CRAFTS

SEASONS AND SERENDIPITY - LET’S MUCK ABOUT IN THE MANGROVES

Nov. 4, Dec. 2 / Ages: 12 and up / Fee: Free / Meet in front of the Environmental Center / Fridays, 9-11 a.m. Have you ever wondered how to tell one mangrove species from another? What is that nasty smell around mangroves? How do mangroves thrive in salt water? How do mangroves benefit fish, birds and humans? If you would like to learn the answers to these and other questions about mangroves, join Master Naturalist Kate Borduas as she explores the park’s mangrove fringe along beautiful Lemon Bay. Hats, closed toe shoes, sunscreen and water are recommended. To register, email Nathalie at ndsmith@scgov.net. For more information, call 941-861-PARK (7275).

INTRODUCTIONS TO FLORIDA BIRDS

Nov. 12 / Ages: 12 and up / Fee: Free / Meeting Room / Saturday, 9 a.m. Master Naturalist Kate Borduas will take us through the 80 + most common birds you are likely to encounter in Florida. Using easily recognized field marks and side-by-side comparisons of similar birds, Florida Scrub Jay Kate will soon have you identifying most of the birds you are likely to encounter day to day and during Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count. For more information call 941-861-5000, 311 or email parksonline@scgov.net.

LUNCHTIME MUSIC SERIES

Dec. 16, Dec. 30 / Ages: Adult / Fee: Free / Meeting room / Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Bring a picnic, kick back and enjoy live bluegrass and folk music featuring local favorite Gottfried Creek. Performances will take place in the Lemon Bay Park meeting room. Reservations suggested and social distancing may be encouraged. For more information, call 941-861-5000, 311 or email parksonline@scgov.net.

Sept. 1, Sept. 15, Oct. 6, Oct. 20 / Ages: 18 and up / Fee: Free / Meet in large meeting room / Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Love quilting and its cultural heritage? Fabric arts and stitching date back thousands of years. Join fellow quilters of various backgrounds and skill levels to sew, share and learn new techniques. This program takes place indoors. To register, email Nathalie at ndsmith@scgov.net. For more information, call 941-861-PARK (7275).

MAGNIFICENT MANGROVE NATURE WALK

Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Dec. 5 / Ages: 12 and up / Fee: Free / Meet in front of the Environmental Center / Mondays, 9-11 a.m. Join local Sea Grant agent Armando J. Ubeda for a mangrove walk as he discusses the importance of our native mangrove species and their role in the livelihood and protection of our coastline community. Participants are encouraged to wear closed toe shoes, hats and have drinking water available. To register, visit eventbrite.com.