A chance to talk with Parks Advisory People

Thanks to the efforts of a resident of Sylvan Lea, which is adjacent to the Smith farm (outlined below) where DR Horton wishes to build 170 homes, people who care about the future of the Celery Fields will have an opportunity on March 7 to address county Parks and Land Acqusition people. See the email below from Michelle Sizler, who got in touch with the county.

Thanks to Ms. Sizler's efforts, all who wish are invited to attend this March 7 meeting and to address the advisory committee. The "Think Tank" room is on the 3rd floor of the County Admin building at 1660 Ringling Blvd.

Here's Michelle:

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Good evening,

I wanted to get you up to speed with what we have going on with Sarasota Parks and Recreation and request your help in calling others to action. 

Myself and a few other neighbors in Sylvan Lea recently sent in an application to Sarasota County Parks and Recreation to nominate the Raymond Rd farm to be acquired under Land Acquisition Program. With additional support of homeowners in the area, the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, could consider acquiring the farm as a Neighborhood Parkland and Environmentally Sensitive Lands Project….should the county commissioners decline to allow the rezoning requested by D.R. Horton. 

The nomination request highlighted the current growth of the community east of the interstate and the benefits of utilizing this farm to create a much-needed playground, covered gathering facility, and additional parking to support the Celery Fields boardwalk. In addition, it would preserve a “natural area” and “open space” for the people in our community to recreate.

Sarasota County Parks and Recreation responded: 

Good afternoon, 

I wanted to let you know that there will be a preview of your land nomination of the Cindy L. Smith Revocable Living Trust farm property on Raymond Road at our upcoming Parks Advisory and Recreation Council (PARC) meeting on Thursday, March 7 at 2:30 pm. The meeting will take place at:   Administration Center – 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota (Think Tank Room- 3rd floor)  

The meeting is open to the public, and the public is welcome to speak during the “open to the public” portion of the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. Those wishing to speak must fill out a speaker’s card and get three minutes to speak.   If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email or call me. 

Thank you, 

Brie W. Ondercin, CPRP 

Business Professional III, Land Acquisition Coordinator

Back to Michelle Sizler:

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I plan to be at this meeting and am trying to recruit other members of our neighborhood to attend. If you are able to attend to support this effort, it would be greatly appreciated. In addition, if you have any neighborhood contacts or HOA contacts for any of the surrounding neighborhoods, I would be more than willing to reach out to them and spread the word. 

The final measure that we can have an impact in would be to notify the county commissioners that this nomination within the Land Acquisition Program has been made and that there is now an alternative option to allowing D.R. Horton to build on this farm. 

I truly appreciate any support you can provided this matter and will keep you updated with anything new.

Take care,

Michelle Sizler

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Please see this further information from Michelle

From this Qcode you can share your perspective: