OUR MISSION
To provide clean, safe and inclusive parks with diverse opportunities for all.
OUR VISION
A dynamic parks system that is essential to quality of life and enriches our community through participation, connection and diverse recreational opportunities.
OUR VALUES
Stewardship, Preservation, Innovation, Respect, Inclusivity, Teamwork, Sustainability, Health and Wellness.
FY23 PARK OPERATIONS
Acres burned on natural areas | 5,508
Artificial reef material deployed (In tonnage) | 65.85
Full-time Equivalent (FTE) | 225
Overall customer satisfaction rating (5=very satisfied to 1=not at all satisfied) | 4.49
Total sport tourism economic impact | $99,899,691
Total economic impact produced by venues owned by Sarasota County | $38,894,916
Turtle Beach Campground occupancy | 94%
Recreation and Community Centers
• Bee Ridge Park
• Colonial Oaks Park
• Englewood Sports Complex
• Laurel Park
• Longwood Park
• Newtown Estates Park
• Nokomis Community Park
• Venice Community Center
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
FY23 PARK QUANTITIES
Acres of park land | 55,000
County-managed parks (Approximately) | 150
Miles of beaches | 35
Miles of trails | 450
Number of athletic fields | 91
Number of beaches | 14
Number of playgrounds | 48
FY23 PEOPLE IN PARKS
Activity registrations | 9,735
Direct volunteer hours | 165,534
Estimated beach attendance (Lifeguarded beaches) | 5,787,472
Facebook engagements | 97,826
Interior space participants | 345,966
Recreation program participants | 374,296
The Legacy Trail users | 667,260
Turtle Beach Campground visitors | 25,060
Nature Centers
• Lemon Bay Park
• Shamrock Park
Specialty Facilities
• Knight Trail Park
• Nathan Benderson Park
• Phillippi Estate Park
• Venice Train Depot
• Woodmere Park Follow us @SRQCountyGov or visit SarasotaCountyParks.com
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
FY23 OPERATING BUDGET BY FUND
$36,277,513
General Fund | 65%
Tourist Development Tax (TDT) | 18%
Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) | 12%
FY23 CAPITAL BUDGET
$14,118,644
ACCREDITATIONS
November 2023
American Camp Association (ACA)
October 2023
Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Reaccreditation
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
February 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2017, 2015 and 2011
No. 1 Beach in the United States by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ Awards (2020, 2017 and 2015); No. 1 Beach in America by Dr. Beach (2017 and 2011); No. 2 Beach in the United States by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ Awards (2024, 2023 and 2022) | Siesta Beach
August 2023
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Innovative Programming Award (Environmental Sustainability and Resiliency) | Fire Fest
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Volunteer Service Award (Individual) | Terry Redman
June 2023
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Recognition Award | The Legacy Trail Extension and North Port Connector
August 2022
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Voluntary Service Award (Individual) | Russell Johnson
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Excellence in Sports Tourism Award | Mid/Large Market
May 2022
National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) Trails and Corridors Award | The Legacy Trail Extension Project
National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) Land Conservation Award | Protecting Natural Lands
National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) Outstanding Support Organization Award | Friends of The Legacy Trail, Inc.
September 2021
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Voluntary Service Award (Individual) | Erma and Dave Miller
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Public Relations Award (Print) | Walk in the Park