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Conservation Foundation Takes Lead to Create Venice Park

08/24/2004 -

Sarasota Conservation Foundation Takes Lead to Create A Park with Permanent Public Access to Intra-Coastal Waterway

VENICE, FL- Albert Joerger, President and Executive Director of Sarasota Conservation
Foundation, a new non-profit entity dedicated to protecting the Gulf Coast’s bays, beaches and barrier Islands, will announce the creation of a public park for the people of Venice at the City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 24. Sarasota Conservation Foundation purchased the property at 100 West Tampa Avenue on August 18 thanks to a $412,880 grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice. “In an unprecedented public private partnership we have secured permanent public access to the Intra Coastal waterway and increased open space for future generations” Joerger said.

“Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice was the catalyst for this project”, said Joerger, a land conservation expert. “Teri Hansen and the staff of the Foundation brought this property to our attention many months ago but it had already been sold. When the deal fell through, Sarasota Conservation Foundation jumped at the chance to purchase this significant parcel because it will serve as a gateway to Venice Island, it enhances Venetian Waterway Park, it helps further revitalize downtown and ensures that the people of Venice have downtown open space in perpetuity.” The Venice City Council will now consider taking on the landscaping and maintenance of the as yet, unnamed park. Specific details have not been finalized but City staff members and both foundations have discussed possibilities for park usage that include pets, music, gathering areas for downtown workers, families and a link to Venetian Waterway Park. Sarasota Conservation Foundation will consult with the City of Venice regarding use of native plants, and a water feature to enhance the space.

“We wake up every morning thinking of ways to improve quality of life in our service area” Hansen said, “Despite the size of this particular grant, it was not a difficult decision for our board because the cost of conservation is always increasing and these partners are committed”.

Mr. Joerger has worked extensively in sustainable coastal development, land conservation and forming collaborations but this is the first land acquisition for the newly organized Sarasota Conservation Foundation. “We are not an advocacy group and we are not anti-development”, Joerger explained, “But as a land trust we can offer property owners alternatives that may create personal tax advantages and benefits for the community”.

There are over 1300 land trusts in the United States protecting nearly 10 million acres. Sarasota Conservation Foundation is a local land trust and has raised over $1million in contributions, grants, and gifts-in-kind during an action packed first year of operation.