$14M Venice property purchase marks Sarasota County milestone

Sarasota County recently closed on the purchase of a Venice property formerly known as Camp Venice RV Resort. The Oct. 17 transaction marked the county's 100th acquisition through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program according to county officials.

The 20-acre property at 4085 E. Venice Ave. has operated as a campground for the past 40 years. Going forward, the county plans to make improvements to the site and reopen it as a campground that also serves to preserve the natural habitat.

The Venice property contains about 6 acres of mesic hammock and riverine habitat along the Myakka River, with native vegetation including cabbage palm, wild coffee, beautyberry, southern red cedar and oaks.