Sarasota County (Fla.) Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources completed the 100th land acquisition through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP). On Friday, Oct. 17, the county closed on the property formerly known as Camp Venice RV Resort, 4085 E. Venice Ave., Venice, according to a press release.
Located adjacent to Sarasota County’s Snook Haven Park and near Sleeping Turtles Preserve South, another ESLPP site, the 20-acre property has operated as a campground for the past 40 years. Approximately six acres consist of mesic hammock and riverine habitat along the Myakka River, with native vegetation including oaks, southern red cedar, cabbage palm, beautyberry and wild coffee.
Current plans include reopening the property as a riverfront campground, with improvements such as upgrading utilities and enhancing accessibility, establishing a connection to Snook Haven Park and exploring future connectivity with the surrounding preserves…