Sarasota County’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) is dedicated to providing exceptional natural spaces, diverse sports facilities and safe recreational environments that serve people of all ages and abilities. From playgrounds and beaches to trails, preserves, sports complexes and recreation centers, PRNR offers residents and visitors a wide range of opportunities to stay active, healthy and connected.
As our community continues to grow due to increased population and tourism, it remains essential to offer a diverse range of recreational experiences, enhance and expand facilities, improve operational efficiency and strengthen communication across the community.
To guide our efforts and progress toward achieving the goals outlined in the Parks, Preserves and Recreation Strategic Master Plan (Parks Master Plan), PRNR has developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan. This plan is closely aligned with Sarasota County’s Comprehensive Plan and the 2026 Enterprise Strategic Plan, ensuring coordination with broader county goals and objectives.
This year, one of PRNR’s key priorities is updating the Parks Master Plan to reflect evolving community needs, address emerging trends and ensure continued stewardship of Sarasota County’s natural and recreational resources. The PRNR Strategic Plan provides a clear roadmap for achieving these goals, which supports a vibrant, active and sustainable community for future generations.
2025 AGENCY AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Reaccreditation American Camp Association (ACA) American Public Works Association (APWA) Accreditation AWARDS
National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) – Conservation: Land Acquisition and Management Program Rebranding and Community Education Plan
Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) – Voluntary Service Group: Friends of Lemon Bay Park
Travel + Leisure’s “World’s 50 Best Beaches” report ranked Siesta Beach as the best beach in the United States, the 12th best beach in North America, and 42nd in the world. Siesta Beach was the only beach in the U.S. to make the global list.
SHAWN YEAGER
Interim Director, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
No. 1 Beach in the United States by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ Awards (2025, 2020, 2017 and 2015); No. 2 Beach in the United States by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ Awards (2024, 2023 and 2022) – Siesta Beach
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, Innovation, Respect, Teamwork and Quality of Life.
ASSEMBLING OUR STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
In the following pages, the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department’s Strategic Plan is divided into sections. Each section outlines the goals, objectives and ways to measure progress (performance measures) and how they align with Sarasota County’s Comprehensive Plan, the Sarasota County 2026 Enterprise Strategic Plan and the Sarasota County Parks Master Plan.
PARKS
MASTER PLAN
Develop the County’s Role as a Regional Park Provider
Continue PRNR Long Range Planning in Accordance with the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) Requirements
Align PRNR Plans, Codes, Policies and Programs with the new Long-Range Vision
Align Departmental Organization and Operations with new Long-Range Vision
Continue Improving Subsystems with Available Resources
Prioritize Capital Improvement Program Projects based on the PRNR Mission
BUILDING THE BIG PICTURE
2026 ENTERPRISE STRATEGIC PLAN
Exceptional County Services Aligned with Resources
High-Performing County Team
World-Class Quality of Life Amenities
Safe Place to Live, Work and Play
Robust, Growing Business Opportunities
2026 - 2031
PRNR STRATEGIC PLAN
Protect, manage and promote natural and cultural resources within the parks system.
Provide recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities and venues that align with the varying needs, abilities and desires of our community and visitors.
Create a dynamic organization committed to engaging the community through well-trained and engaged staff and volunteers.
Develop, maintain and enhance clean, safe, accessible parks.
Foster a balanced approach to meet level of service goals with a focus on sustainability.
PRNR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
Stewardship
We responsibly manage and protect our natural, cultural and financial resources to ensure they endure for future generations.
Innovation
We embrace creative thinking, technology and new approaches to improve park experiences, expand access, and meet evolving community needs.
Respect
We foster a culture that welcomes all people, places and perspectives, ensuring that everyone feels accepted in our spaces.
Teamwork
We foster a culture of collaboration where different perspectives are valued and work across teams to deliver exceptional results.
Quality of Life
We champion active lifestyles, mental well-being and community connection by providing safe, engaging spaces.
STEWARDSHIP
ENTERPRISELEVEL GOALS
World-Class Quality of Life Amenities
Safe Place to Live, Work and Play
GOAL
Protect, manage and promote natural and cultural resources within the parks system.
Objectives
• Provide educational and environmental outreach activities for the community.
• Develop, or review and update management strategies to align with best practices, and maintain and restore the ecological function of natural areas.
• Utilize appropriate funding and staffing to purchase and manage natural areas.
• Develop long-term funding strategies to support proper resource management activities.
• Develop or update the management plans for the new unit management plan template.
Measures
1. Number of nature-based education and environmental programs or virtual events
Target: 14 events per month
2. Number of acres burned in the Prescribed Fire Program
Target: 7,500 acres of natural areas treated with prescribed fire annually.
Targets per quarter:
Q1: 200 acres per month
Q2: 300 acres per month
Q3: 1,000 acres per month
Q4: 1,000 acres per month
3. Reduce the number of natural area acres identified as “backlogged” in the Prescribed Fire Program
Targets per quarter:
Q1: 30 acres per month
Q2: 120 acres per month
Q3: 56 acres per month
Q4: 68 acres per month
STEWARDSHIP
4. Number of acres treated for known infestations of non-native plants
• Includes locations in Natural Areas and Trails; Beaches and Water Access; and Recreation and Neighborhood Parks, as applicable.
• Annual treatment goal is 10% of known infestations.
Target: Monthly treatment of 100 acres of known infestations.
Prescribed Fire
QUALITY OF LIFE
ENTERPRISELEVEL GOALS
World-Class Quality of Life Amenities
Safe Place to Live, Work and Play
Exceptional County Services Aligned with Resources
GOAL
Provide recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities and venues that align with the varying needs, abilities and desires of our community and visitors.
Objectives
• Manage and update the Recreation Programming Plan based on a regular evaluation of community input, recreation trends, county demographic statistics and available resources.
• Build relationships and enhance programs with community partners, leagues, users and volunteers.
• Promote sports and nature-based recreation within Sarasota County.
• Expand programming and public access to increase annual participation and utilization rates of parks and facilities.
Kensington Park Improvements
Measures
1. Activity enrollment (# of people)
Targets:
January: 1,500 July: 750
February: 750 August: 1,000
March: 2,000 September: 1,250
April: 750 October: 1,000
May: 250 November: 300
June: 250 December: 400
2. Interior space participants
Target: 23,000 per month
3. Individuals in rentals at campground
Target: 2,625 per month
4. Pass and drop-in visits
Targets:
September through May: 900 per month
June through August: 700 per month
QUALITY OF LIFE
5. Utilization of athletic fields
Target: 68% per quarter
6. Number of athletic field and court users for organized play
Target: 10,000 annually
7. $ value economic impact from sporting events
Target: $25,000,000 per quarter
Bypass Park Improvements
Measures (continued)
8. Estimated number of interior and exterior participants reported on reservation permits, excluding athletic fields
Targets:
Q1: 110,000 per month Q3: 73,000 per month
Q2: 65,000 per month Q4: 55,000 per month
9. Utilization of Turtle Beach Campground sites
Target: 90% per quarter
10. Number of trail users on The Legacy Trail
Annual target: 645,000 trail users per year
Targets per quarter:
Q1: 40,000 per month Q3: 70,000 per month
Q2: 70,000 per month Q4: 35,000 per month
11. Average number of participants at Knight Trail Park
Targets:
January: 70 July: 42
February: 65 August: 42
March: 70 September: 46
April: 60 October: 62
May: 42 November: 70
June: 42 December: 70
QUALITY OF LIFE
12. Utilization rate of Phillippi Estate Park Mansion
Target: 50%
13.Number of cars at Phillippi Farmhouse Market
Targets:
October: 2,000
November: 2,000
December: 2,400
January: 2,000
February: 2,000
March: 2,000
April: 2,000
The Legacy Trail
GOAL
Develop, maintain and enhance clean, safe, accessible parks.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Objectives
• Manage contracts and vendors to ensure accountability and contract compliance.
• Ensure clean, safe and accessible parks by conducting regular inspections by the Internal Standards Inspection Team (ISIT) and division staff.
• Maintain and develop standard operating procedures that support the Parks Master Plan level of service standards and tiered service delivery model.
• Develop proactive and preventive maintenance planning and life cycle expectations.
• Identify accessible, inclusive and age-friendly improvement opportunities.
Measures
1. Completion of identified deficiencies in the Parks ADA Transition Plan that are not associated with regular maintenance
Target: 10 per quarter
2. Turf-to-weed ratio on athletic fields
Target: 70% or better annually
3. Number of playground inspections completed
Target: 155 per quarter
4. Number of ISIT inspections completed
Target: 105 per quarter
5. Average rating for ISIT inspections
Target: 80% per quarter
6. Number of miles treated for wildfire mitigation
(Includes non-fire mitigation such as firebreak establishment and maintenance, and fuel reduction using mechanical means)
Target: 20 miles per month
Newtown Estates Park
Wellfield Park
INNOVATION
ENTERPRISELEVEL GOALS
World-Class Quality of Life Amenities
Robust, Growing Business Opportunities
Exceptional County Services Aligned with Resources
GOAL
Foster a balanced approach to meeting level of service goals with a focus on sustainability.
Objectives
• Develop and maintain partnerships that support the PRNR mission.
• Diversify funding sources to support operations and park improvements.
• Identify alternative methods, such as expanded volunteer opportunities, to meet the Parks Master Plan level of service standards.
• Develop and manage park properties with a focus on sustainability and resilience.
• Protect and preserve ecologically sensitive, undeveloped lands for their environmental value through acquisition, conservation easements and land management.
Measures
1. Number of volunteer hours
• Goal is to increase overall volunteer hours by 3% annually
Target: Approximately 40,000 hours per quarter
2. Number of Sheriff’s Work Offender Program hours utilized by PRNR
Target: 3,000 hours per quarter
3. Number of court-appointed service hours utilized by PRNR
Target: 250 hours per quarter
4. Revenue from permitted commercial vendor services
Target: $310,000 per quarter
5. Dollar value of sponsorships, donations and in-kind support
Target: $20,000 per quarter
6. Total collected revenue
Target: $1 million per quarter
7. Dollar value of partnerships
Target: $15,000 per quarter
8. Dollar value of volunteer services
Target: $1 million per quarter
9. Tonnage of artificial reefs
FY25: 70.76 tons
10. Increase in number of acres of parklands
FY25: 23.44 acres
11. Number of acres of developed parks
FY25: 5,703.64 acres
12. Number of acres of public land protected through referenda
FY25: 34.74 acres
Snook Haven
TEAMWORK AND RESPECT
ENTERPRISELEVEL GOALS
High Performing County Team
Exceptional County Services Aligned with Resources
GOAL
Create a dynamic organization committed to engaging the community through well-trained and engaged staff and volunteers. Objectives
• Maintain accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), American Camp Association (ACA) and American Public Works Association (APWA).
• Identify and promote volunteer opportunities and provide recognition for volunteer efforts.
• Gather and use feedback from the public and community through social media engagement, community needs assessments, surveys, input on programs and services and other methods to guide improvements.
• Support staff success by communicating clear goals and expectations, providing needed resources and tools, encouraging ongoing training and using staff input and the annual employee survey to inform decision-making.
TEAMWORK AND RESPECT
Measures
1. Number of customer surveys collected
Target : 300 surveys per quarter
2. Overall customer satisfaction rating
• Respondents rank Sarasota County PRNR offerings on a five-point scale (ranging from poor to excellent)
Target: Average cumulative score of 4.5 out of 5
3. Number of Facebook engagements with #SRQCountyParks
Target: 10,000 per month
4. Number of active Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certifications
Target: 20 staff certifications annually
5. Number of other professional certifications held (Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, Pesticide Applicator Certification, Certified Playground Safety Inspector, Certificate in Natural Areas Management, CPR/AED/ First Aid Certification, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Natural Resources Leadership, Florida Notary Public or similar)
Target: 100 certifications annually
6. Employee satisfaction rating (annual survey)
• Staff rank job satisfaction on a five-point scale (Very satisfied to very dissatisfied)
