Woodmere Park 36

RECREATION AND ATHLETICS WOODMERE PARK

3951 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice

Also features: reservable pavilion. This park offers indoor and outdoor reservable space. Visit scgov.net (keyword reservations) or contact 941-861-PARK (7275).

ACTIVITIES

ALLIGATOR CREEK TRAIL

Year-round / All ages / Fee: Free / Trail / Daily, sunrise to sunset Enjoy Woodmere Park’s newest amenity, 1.6 miles of pedestrian/ bicycle-friendly trail along Alligator Creek. This serene, nature lover’s paradise has abundant wildlife, including hawks and alligators. Bring a water bottle and take a break on the bench near a Floridadesignated “grand” tree. For details, call 941-861-5000.

JAZZERCISE

Year-round* / Ages: 15 and up / Fee: Per instructor / Gymnasium / Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 9-10 a.m. Join this fun, high-intensity dance aerobic workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, yoga, Pilates and kickboxing movements. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility, as well as an overall “feel good” factor. For more information and pricing, please contact Karen Scroll at 847-361-5810 or email karen7881@gmail.com.

MCMURRAY’S FAMILY TAEKWONDO

Year-round* / All ages / Fee: Per instructor / Gymnasium / Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 4-8 p.m. Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts, that teaches more than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our body and mind. Classes for youth and adults. Please call Zackery McMurray at 941-800-7210 for information.

SUMMER DAY CAMP

June 21-July 30 / Ages: Entering first-fifth grade / Fee: Varies / All rooms / Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Weekly registration available. The 2021 Summer Camp Guide includes more information about this and other county camps. For more information, visit scgov.net/parks.

PICKLEBALL

October-December / Ages: 18 and up / Fee: $2 (passes available) / Gymnasium / Wednesday and Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to noon or 12:30-2 p.m. For more information, visit scgov.net (keyword: pickleball). All sessions require online, pre-registration. For more details, call 941-486-2780.

All year-round* programs are suspended June 13-Sept. 6 due to Summer Camp programs.

JOIN OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEER TEAM!

• Event volunteer • Trail steward • Docent • Nature guide

There are many opportunities to volunteer with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. You are invited to connect with others in your community for a good cause! • Beach ambassador • Surrey pedaler • And more

To find the right opportunity for you, visit scgov.net (keyword volunteer).

Tuesdays June 8–July 27 SIESTA BEACH

948 Beach Road, Sarasota Registration: 5:30 p.m. Pavilion near the playground Race time: 6:30 p.m. in staggered start

Wednesdays June 9–July 28 NORTH BROHARD PARK

1400 S. Harbor Drive, Venice Registration: 5:30 p.m. Near Venice Fishing Pier Race time: 6:30 p.m. in staggered start

FREE 1 mile fun run!

• Earn a custom T-shirt after four runs! • Participation ribbons awarded each week.

Silver sponsor: Kiwanis Club of Siesta Key

© 2017 Ringling College Design Center Design by Silpa Joe ’18, Graphic Design Illustration by India Boeckh ’18, Illustration

PLANNING A WEDDING?

Your wedding is your most important day, so plan it on scenic Phillippi Creek at the historic Edson Keith Mansion. The elegant, Italian Renaissance-style mansion is an indoor-outdoor venue including a 15-hour rental, bride’s suite, groom’s suite, complimentary wedding rehearsal the day before and gorgeous photographic opportunities in this beautiful 60-acre park.

5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 941-316-1309 • scgov.net/parks (keywords phillippi estate park)

BEACHES AND WATER ACCESS

Introduction

Welcome to the county’s Beaches and Water Access parks. With more than 35 miles of coastline with six lifeguarded beaches and 40 additional beaches and water accesses for motorized and non-motorized vessels, local visitors as well as those from all over the world are drawn here due to the biodiversity, beautiful vistas, fun activities and accessibility. If you are looking for an adventure or just a place to recharge your batteries, Sarasota County Beaches and Water Access parks have it all!

Visit the world-famous Siesta Beach, the mangrove tunnels of Ted Sperling Nature Park or collect sharks teeth at Caspersen Beach. Beaches and Water Access offers activities including beach runs and walks as well as special events. For more than 40 years, the county has celebrated the holiday season with the Sandy Claws Beach Run, a 1-mile fun run or 5K, at Siesta Beach. Grab the family and join our Kids’ Summer Beach Runs, one of our summer favorites in June and July. Don’t miss the opportunity to see more than 20 of the best “master” sand sculptors from around the world at our Annual Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival. Come out and camp next to the Gulf of Mexico at Turtle Beach Campground, which features 39 RV and tent sites with full hook-ups.

Visit scgov.net (keywords blueways paddling guide) to view the paddling guide and make a splash exploring our beautiful waterways! Please help preserve all natural areas by respecting wildlife and by packing out what you pack in.

BLUEWAYS PADDLING GUIDE

A GUIDE TO SARASOTA’S KAYAK AND CANOE TRAILS

Discover Sarasota County’s natural beauty, its unique wildlife and habitats as you explore the beautiful waterways of the county. There are 11 area waterways to explore with suggested blueways (paddling trails) highlighted in this guide. The Sarasota Bay Trail, the Lido and South Lido Trails, the Phillippi Creek Trail, the Neville Marine Preserve Trail, the South Creek Trail, the Dona Bay/Roberts Bay Trails, the Caspersen Trail, the Lemon Bay Trail, the Myakka River/Carlton Trail and the Myakka River/Myakkahatchee Creek Trails.

Sarasota County has a diverse blend of natural areas to explore while paddling the blueways. Paddle through a mangrove forest and view the wildlife of the estuaries. Paddle along the bays, bayous, lagoons and creeks and explore the natural areas of Florida’s designated “Wild and Scenic” Myakka River. View this publication online at scgov.net (keywords blueways paddling guide).

BEACH CONCESSIONS

REFRESHING DRINKS AND MORE CAN BE FOUND AT SIESTA BEACH!

Siesta Beach offers two concession locations. Grab some ice cream at the main historic pavilion or catch the sunset at the raised Sun Deck concession with amazing views of the beach and Gulf!

NORTH JETTY CONCESSION

What could be better on a hot beach day than a delicious smoothie or a quick bite for the family? Get it all at the North Jetty Concession. You will also find a full menu including breakfast, beverages, sandwiches, and salads!

Ryan Gamma, photographer

BITES, BASKETS AND BOOGIE BOARDS AT VENICE BEACH!

Enjoy an icy cold beverage and choose from a variety of awesome food and quick bites under the shady awning at the Pilot House, just steps from Venice Beach. Boogie boards, umbrellas, beach mats and more are also available!

GOOD FOOD FAST, NOT FAST FOOD AT NOKOMIS BEACH!

Nokomis Beach Shark Tooth Beach Concession offers a variety of delectables including harmonious breakfast hash bowls and barbecue pulled pork sandwiches. Come back later for some banana split Dippin’ Dots!