Snook Haven Park reopening after $8.75M improvement project

A nearly $9 million park improvement project in south Sarasota County is wrapping up along the Myakka River. Snook Haven Park will reopen to the public on Friday, Nov. 6, following an 8:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

For more than a year, the 2.5-acre park off East Venice Avenue has been a construction site. According to a statement, here are the new additions at Snook Haven Park:

• Food service building that is elevated and accessible
• Covered dining pavilion overlooking the Myakka River
• Performance stage and patio
• Fishing pier
• Accessible parking
• Accessible walkways connecting the park with existing boat ramp and canoe/kayak launch
• Cabin conversion into outfitter facility for future canoe and kayak rentals with public restroom

New furnishings have been added and restrooms have been renovated, as well.

SSA Group LLC will operate the park’s food and beverage concessions. The Colorado-based company provides several services, including hospitality, at cultural attractions like museums, parks, aquariums, historical and iconic sites, golf courses and restaurants nationwide.

Snook Haven originally operated as a fish camp in 1940. Sarasota County acquired the property for $2.6 million in 2006, according to county property records, to preserve the riverfront destination.

The improvements at Snook Haven Park, the release states, follow years of work. First, the design phase began in spring 2022, according to a statement. Next, Sarasota County broke ground on the Snook Haven upgrades in May 2025. Sweet Sparkman Architects oversaw design, while Jon F. Swift Construction handled construction.

Funding for the $8.75 million project came from South County Park Impact Fees, Tourist Development Tax revenue, two voter-approved infrastructure surtax programs and a West Coast Inland Navigation District grant, according to a statement.

And there may be more improvements ahead.

Currently, the county is developing a proposed 10-year plan to expand Snook Haven into a 45-acre regional nature park. Potential improvements, according to the statement, may include renovating the adjacent 20-acre campground, which Sarasota County purchased for $14 million last year; restoring the 1936 river house as an interpretive center; and adding trails and parking.