I often write about development on farmland in Florida such as the sale of JMC Groves LLC. and JackRBT Farms and some readers express disappointment because they believe such land should be preserved. This is the mindset that some Floridians in Sarasota have. They are trying to protect the popular park Celery Fields, as a large homebuilder is set to build over one hundred homes across the street.
What’s Happening?: In 2023, environmentalists expressed concern when homebuilder D.R. Horton wanted to build 170 new homes on 26 acres known as Smith Farm. A popular park for birdwatching and nature lovers, Celery Fields, is across the street.
And in November of 2024, some Floridians are organizing to show up at a planning commission meeting on November 21, 2024, to express their concerns. They want to protect the park, which is the third most popular birding site in Florida on eBird.
D.R. Horton has been the largest homebuilder by volume in the United States since 2002.
Concerns For The Park And Farm: Sara Reisinger, the President of the Sarasota Audubon Society, summarized some concerns to ABC Action News, explaining: