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.
FY24 PARK OPERATIONS
Acres burned on natural areas | 1,988
Artificial reef material deployed (In tonnage) | 72.85
Full-time equivalent | 233
Overall customer satisfaction rating (5=very satisfied to 1=not at all satisfied) | 4.6
Total sport tourism economic impact | $113,530,895
Total economic impact produced by venues owned by Sarasota County | $40,294,872
Turtle Beach Campground occupancy | 95%
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
• Woodmere Park
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
FY24 PARK QUANTITIES
Acres of park land | 5,696
County-managed parks (Approximately) | 150
Miles of beaches | 35
Miles of trails | 533
Number of athletic fields | 91
Number of beaches | 14
Number of playgrounds | 46
FY24 PEOPLE IN PARKS
Activity registrations | 14,950
Direct volunteer hours | 176,226
Estimated beach attendance (Lifeguarded beaches) | 6,146,178 Facebook engagements | 122,563
Interior space participants | 267,302 Recreation program participants | 318,539
The Legacy Trail users | 619,773
Turtle Beach Campground visitors | 29,629
Nature Centers
• Lemon Bay Park
• Shamrock Park
Specialty Facilities
• Knight Trail Park
• Nathan Benderson Park
• Phillippi Estate Park
• Venice Train Depot
us @SRQCountyGov
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
FY24 OPERATING BUDGET BY FUND
$41,531,084
General Fund | 62%
Tourist Development Tax | 20%
Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) | 14%
FY24 CAPITAL BUDGET
$54,088,091
ACCREDITATIONS
May 2024
American Public Works Association (APWA) Accreditation
November 2023
American Camp Association (ACA)
October 2023
Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Reaccreditation
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
February 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2017, 2015 and 2011
No. 1 Beach in the United States by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ Awards (2025, 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 2024
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA), Public Relations (Electronic), Natural Areas
Story Map
July 2024
The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, Honor Award of Excellence New Work to Seibert Architects (Architect of Record) and Guy Peterson OFA (Conceptual Design), Nora Patterson Bay Island Park Restroom Pavilion
June 2024
National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO), Outstanding Support Organization, Friends of Phillippi Estate Park
May 2024
Small Park of the Year by The Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association, Turtle Beach Campground
August 2023
FRPA Innovative Programming Award (Environmental Sustainability and Resiliency), Fire Fest
FRPA Volunteer Service Award (Individual), Terry Redman
June 2023
American Council of Engineering Companies
National Recognition Award, The Legacy Trail Extension and North Port Connector