SARASOTA COUNTY - Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources completed the 100th land acquisition through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP). On Friday, Oct. 17, the county closed on the property formerly known as Camp Venice RV Resort, 4085 E. Venice Ave., Venice.
Located adjacent to Sarasota County’s Snook Haven Park and near Sleeping Turtles Preserve South, another ESLPP site, the 20-acre property has operated as a campground for the past 40 years. Approximately six acres consist of mesic hammock and riverine habitat along the Myakka River, with native vegetation including oaks, southern red cedar, cabbage palm, beautyberry and wild coffee.
Current plans include reopening the property as a riverfront campground, with improvements such as upgrading utilities and enhancing accessibility, establishing a connection to Snook Haven Park and exploring future connectivity with the surrounding preserves.
The funding for the acquisition is provided through ESLPP and the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP). The ESLPP and NPP are voter-approved, taxpayer-funded programs established to acquire and protect natural lands and parklands under Sarasota County’s Land Acquisition and Management Program. The campground property was nominated for land acquisition by a previous landowner in 2008 and again in 2018. In addition to being the 100th acquisition through ESLPP, this property marks the first joint acquisition between ESLPP and NPP.
“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 the first acquisition in 2000, more than 42,000 acres of land have been protected through land purchases and conservation easements as part of ESLPP, including 32 diverse and environmentally sensitive areas within the County. These lands provide safe and protected habitats for many threatened and native species, including gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, West Indian manatees, longleaf pine, red maple, red, black and white mangroves, sweet-bay magnolia, cabbage palm and butterfly orchids. Additionally, approximately 12 different habitat types have been protected through ESLPP including dry prairie, mesic flatwoods, hydric hammock, baygall and basin marshes ensuring these critical areas are preserved for future generations.
Residents are invited to celebrate the campground acquisition, and the 99 acquisitions that preceded it, at Sarasota County’s Environmental Lands Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve (South Entrance), 10201 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.
For more information on Sarasota County’s Land Acquisition and Management Program or Sarasota County’s Environmental Lands Celebration, please visit
SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions or call 311.