Property known as Camp Venice RV Resort
The Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR) has completed the county’s 100th land acquisition through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP), the staff announced on Oct. 17.
That day, the county closed on the property formerly known as Camp Venice RV Resort, which is located at 4085 E. Venice Ave. in Venice, a news release says.
Standing next to Sarasota County’s Snook Haven Park and near Sleeping Turtles Preserve South, which is another ESLPP site, “the 20-acre property has operated as a campground for the past 40 years,” the release explains. “Approximately 6 acres consist of mesic hammock and riverine habitat along the Myakka River,” with native vegetation such as oaks, Southern red cedar, cabbage palms, beautyberry and wild coffee, the release adds.
Among the current plans for the property are reopening it “as a riverfront campground,” with improvements such as upgraded utilities and enhanced accessibility, “establishing a connection to Snook Haven Park and exploring future connectivity with the surrounding preserves,” the release points out.
The funding for the acquisition was provided through ESLPP and the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP), the release adds. “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 release explains.
“The campground property was nominated for land acquisition by a previous landowner in 2008 and again in 2018, the release continues. “In addition to being the 100th acquisition through ESLPP, this property marks the first joint acquisition between ESLPP and NPP,” the release notes.
“This acquisition highlights the county’s ongoing commitment to preserving diverse ecosystems and continuing the legacy of conservation for our community,” said Nicole Rissler, director of the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR), in the release. “It’s especially meaningful to reach this milestone during the 25th anniversary year of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program,” Rissler added.
“Since the first acquisition in 2000, more than 42,000 acres of land have been protected” through purchases and conservation easements as part of ESLPP, including 32 diverse and environmentally sensitive areas within the county, the release says. “These lands provide safe and protected habitats for many threatened and native species,” the release continues, 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,” the release notes, 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, as well as the 99 acquisitions that preceded it, during Sarasota County’s Environmental Lands Celebration on Nov. 15, the release adds. That event will be held at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve — via the South Entrance, the release points out; the property is located at 10201 S. Tamiami Trail in 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.