Sarasota County approves $2.5M for park on Phillippi Creek

Sarasota County commissioners unanimously approved a nearly $2.48 million project this week to create a waterfront park on Ashton Road. The cost includes $1.94 million to acquire 2.4 acres for the site, which is about 5 miles south of downtown Sarasota and offers access to Phillippi Creek.

At 2401 Ashton Road, the property the county voted to acquire is currently owned by a trustee of the Peter M. Morton Revocable Living Trust. It contains 410 feet of frontage along Phillippi Creek as well as a single-family home built in 1979 and a 115-foot dock.

Both the residence and the dock were damaged in hurricanes Helene and Milton. County officials say they will evaluate the residence for operational functionality and if it does not have an appropriate use, it may be demolished. Native vegetation on the property includes mangroves, cabbage palms and live oak.

“Acquisition of the property would provide an opportunity to enhance public water access on Phillippi Creek,” Sarasota County Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Nicole Rissler writes in a memo about the proposed purchase. 

“Potential improvements may include water access such as a boat ramp and/or kayak launch, fishing pier, two-pole picnic shelters, restroom and parking,” Rissler says. “The property could be used for fishing, sightseeing, birding, boating, kayaking and picnicking.”

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Staff obtained two appraisals before negotiating the purchase price of $1.94 million for the Ashton Road property. The $515,755 beyond the purchase price will cover closing costs, due diligence and 25% of the amount for startup activities and improvements, according to a statement.

Funding will come from the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program/Neighborhood Parkland Program ad valorem tax. A citizen nominated the property for the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program in April, and it was approved by the Parks and Recreation Council in May. Ongoing operating and maintenance costs will be funded by the Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Land Fund.

Joel Palombo is one of two residents who spoke in support of the acquisition at the Nov. 5 Sarasota County Commissioners meeting. He identified himself as a board member of the Phillippi Crest Club, a public social club on Burlington Lane, about 0.2-mile away from the Ashton Road site. The club was established in 1923, two years after Sarasota County was founded, by New England residents who settled in Sarasota County, Palombo said.

“What's happened over the last 100 years is fences have gone up, properties have been sold, and no Sarasota County resident currently has public water access there,” Palombo said. “This is a win-win situation for the county….We're not only talking about creating a park. We're talking about a waterfront park on Phillippi Creek” in an historic area.

Ted Ritter, who said he lives near the Ashton Road site on Portland Street, added that the property is proximate to the Maine Colony Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the oldest neighborhoods in Sarasota County.

“Unfortunately, as Joel mentioned, we've lost complete access to Phillippi Creek,” Ritter said. Providing access to the water will "greatly increase the quality of our life," Ritter said, and "we see it as something that will help all of Sarasota County.”

Next steps for the property call for due diligence, which must be completed by Feb. 13, 2026; closing, which will occur the following month; and developing a concept plan.