Park Projects

 History

The Historic Miakka School House

Built in 1914 by J.B. Rogers for $1,390, the Miakka School House holds the distinction of being the first school in what was then Manatee County to be funded through school bonds authorized by the Florida Legislature in 1913. At the time, this rural area was still part of Manatee County, prior to the formation of Sarasota County in 1921.

The two-acre property was generously donated to the county school board on July 23, 1914, by Augustus M. and Calidonia Wilson. Augustus “Gus” Wilson was a prominent local figure—serving as a state legislator, postmaster of Miakka, tax assessor, census enumerator, and a dedicated school board member for eight years.

When the school opened, Professor Lee Hall was hired as its first teacher, earning $55 per month. Teachers often lived with local families, and the school year lasted just five months to accommodate the agricultural calendar, as children were needed at home to help with farming and chores.

The Miakka School operated until around 1944, when students were transferred to other schools. Jasper Crowley, who taught from 1933 to 1944, is fondly remembered as a beloved educator during its final years.

On July 3, 1986, the Miakka School House was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its legacy as a cherished piece of local history.

Microsoft Copilot. (2025, September 29). Summary of the Miakka School House history [Large language model]. https://copilot.microsoft.com

Miakka School House Sign, Sarasota, FL, by Ebyabe, licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.

Updates:

May 31, 2026 

The design team continues to work on obtaining permits for the project.  The next step will be to develop bid documents for the solicitation  of a construction contractor.

April 30, 2026

March 31, 2026

February 28, 2026

January 31, 2026

December 31, 2025

Park staff and the County Development Review Community team are currently reviewing the 90% site development plans. Feedback is expected by the end of the month. Once comments are addressed, the plans will move into the final stage of construction documentation and permitting review.

November 30, 2025

Stantec is scheduled to deliver the 90% design plans on December 14th. Once received, the plans will be submitted for formal review.

October 31, 2025

Community Engagement Shapes Future of Old Miakka Preserve

On October 23, community members gathered at the historic Old Miakka Schoolhouse to review the schematic plans and hear updates on the Old Miakka Preserve improvements.

During the meeting, park staff and the design team welcomed input from attendees on a range of topics, including:

• Incorporating design elements that reflect the area’s rich agricultural heritage
• Enhancing stormwater management strategies
• Improving public access points to the preserve
• Preserving dark skies through appropriate lighting design
• Farm equipment theme for playground

We appreciate the community’s active participation and look forward to the next phase of design and construction.

September 30, 2025

Join the Conversation

All projects are currently in the design phase, and we’re excited to share the progress with you! An updated draft of the schematic plan for the new trailhead, along with a discussion of future improvements, will be presented at our public meeting on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

We invite you to be part of shaping the future of Old Miakka Preserve—where history, nature, and community come together.

Discover the Heart of Old Miakka Preserve

Tucked away at the northeast corner of Sarasota County, where Fruitville Road ends, lies Old Miakka Preserve—a living gateway to our region’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

As you travel down a classic, live oak-lined canopy road, you’ll arrive at a place that captures the spirit of the historic Myakka agricultural community. Nestled along the headwaters of the Myakka River, this preserve is home to rare scrub and wetland habitats that have inspired generations of conservationists.

One of those visionaries was Tim Cash (1954–1993), a local nurseryman and founding member of the Serenoa Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. His passion for native plants and biodiversity helped spark the first preservation efforts here. Today, visitors can walk the Tim Cash Trail, a serene path that winds through subtle shifts in habitat, offering a glimpse into the landscapes that inspired his legacy.

What’s Coming Next?

A Capital Improvement Project is currently underway to enhance the visitor experience while protecting the preserve’s natural beauty. Plans include relocating the existing trailhead to a newly acquired parcel at the Fruitville Road entrance. This new area will feature a public restroom, nature-themed playground, shaded picnic pavilion, wetland trail, accessible parking and sidewalks, and connections to the larger natural-surface trail network.

But that’s just the beginning.

Future improvements in planning include but not limited to, Enhanced firebreaks for ecological management, Equestrian access, A heritage Cracker Cattle grazing area,  and Expanded hiking trails for deeper exploration.