Sarasota County buys 3.59-acre Venice waterfront property

Sarasota County has purchased a 3.59-acre property off South Tamiami Trail in Venice that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. The property contains a paved trail where people can walk or bicycle and has functioned as part of the Venetian Waterway Park Trail.

The land cost $125,000, according to a spokesperson for Sarasota County. Funding came from the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program, a voter-approved and taxpayer-funded program established to acquire and protect natural lands and parklands under the Sarasota County Land Acquisition and Management Program.

Located between Rio Terra and South Green Circle, the property contains 2.15 acres of freshwater wetland and 1.52 acres of remnant coastal hammock habitat. Protecting these habitats provides safe spaces for threatened and native species like gopher tortoises, according to a statement from the county.

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“This acquisition strengthens the continuity and long-term vision of the Venetian Waterway Trail,” Sarasota County Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Nicole Rissler says in the statement. “By acquiring this property, we’re able to enhance the trail experience, improve connectivity and ensure safe, accessible recreation for everyone.”

The Venetian Waterway Park Trail spans 5 miles on both sides of the Intercoastal Waterway. It connects to the Legacy Trail at the Historic Venice Train Depot.

Previously, the property was owned by the West Coast Inland Navigation District, a multi-county special taxing body that covers Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and Lee counties. It supports county and local governments in maintaining and enhancing waterfront parks, public navigation channels, inlets, boating access facilities, piers and special structures. The transaction closed Dec. 10, according to Sarasota County.