Venice Took Back Its Neighborhood Parks on Oct. 1. The Beach Stayed With the County.

On Sept. 30, Sarasota County staff gave the City of Venice the keys to the Venice Community Center. The next morning a new interlocal agreement took effect, and seven city-owned facilities that the County had run for years came back under City management. The Venice Gondolier reported that City Manager James Clinch said Public Works crews were already doing maintenance and improvements without even being asked.

Mostly the handover passed without notice. Nothing closed and no events were canceled. Still, it sorted Venice's parks into two groups that now run on different budgets and different plans. The parks closest to daily life are now in a City-led 20-year plan that is taking public input this week. The beach, the boat ramp and the biggest park project in South County stayed with the County, and part of that project's timing waits on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Who runs what, as of Oct. 1

The City's Sept. 30 announcement says the agreement replaces one from 2011 and runs for an initial 10 years starting Oct. 1, 2026, with renewal options. The Gondolier's handover story explains how the parks were divided. The City took the parks considered to draw from a more limited area, and the County kept the ones deemed regional.

Assistant City Manager Roger Omenhiser described the change in the City's release as one that "provides greater local control of neighborhood parks and community facilities while ensuring continued investment in regional destinations that serve residents throughout South Sarasota County."

The split shows up along the water. The west side of Venetian Waterway Park is now City ground, while Brohard and the Marina Park ramp are still on County property.

The calls and bookings that changed

Most of the day-to-day difference shows up when you book a room, reserve a shelter or report a broken bench. Here's the current routing:

• Venice Community Center rentals: Bookings now go through the Venice Community Center website run by VIPAM, the Venice Institute for Performing Arts Management. VIPAM is also handling payments and deposits for events on or after the handover. The City's Community Center page sends general questions to [email protected] and rental questions to Georgia Peacock at 941-218-3779, ext. 111.
• Legacy Park picnic shelters: The City's Legacy Park page sends reservation requests to Special Events and Mobility Coordinator Darlene Culpepper at [email protected] or 941-882-7448.
• Other City park and public-space reservations: The City's online request form needs 14 days' notice and accepts requests up to 120 days ahead. It lists locations such as Centennial Park and West Blalock Park and posts no fee schedule.
• Maintenance in City parks: The Public Works Parks Division takes questions at 941-486-2422.

If you plan to host a holiday party at the Community Center, start with VIPAM's calendar rather than a County booking page. VIPAM's site also lists an open house at the Community Center on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m.

The plan being written for the City's half

While it was taking back these parks, the City was also writing a long-range plan for them, and that plan is now open for public input. The Parks Master Plan, prepared by GAI Consultants, covers nearly 40 City parks, natural areas, trails and public spaces. It will set priorities and an investment roadmap for the next 10 to 20 years.

Input runs through an open community survey and two public workshops, the first on Oct. 27 and the second on Oct. 29. The City says that feedback will help set priorities for trails, playgrounds, natural areas, waterfront access and facilities. Location and start time for the Oct. 29 session are on the City's Parks Master Plan page. Questions go to Planning and Zoning Director Roger Clark at [email protected].

The plan's scope is the City's parks. Hecksher's shade, a playground at Legacy, or more launch room at Higel Marine all fall inside it. On the City's own description, Venice Beach and Brohard sit outside it because the County runs them. The Gondolier's coverage lists the County as a stakeholder in the process.

The beach itself just had major work. The City's third beach renourishment restored about 3.2 miles of shoreline with nearly 620,000 cubic yards of sand, WWSB reported, at a construction cost of about $27.5 million in federal funds. The ribbon cutting was Oct. 2. The City's project page posted updates as late as Oct. 6 on remaining outfall, rock-remediation and sand-tilling work.

Wellfield, the County's biggest piece

The largest project tied to the agreement sits on the County side. Venice conveyed the 80-acre Wellfield Park to Sarasota County on Oct. 29, 2025. The County will redevelop it as the Wellfield Regional Sports Complex. The cost was estimated at about $40 million, with the City's share capped at $20 million. Venice put $5 million into last fiscal year's budget and committed at least $1 million a year until its share is paid, according to the Gondolier.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported on Oct. 12 that the County Commission unanimously approved Wellfield's master concept plan. The same story said the development timeline and funding remain in limbo until Florida voters decide Amendment 3. The Gondolier's account of that vote adds these details:

1. Phase 1 would expand croquet and add baseball and soccer fields.
2. A vote on Phase 1 design is expected in November.
3. An official rendering and more detailed pricing are expected around June 2027.
4. The $40 million estimate is now thought to be substantially higher.

In the same report, Commissioner Joe Neunder said Amendment 3 could affect projects like Wellfield if it passes, and he suggested looking at Tourist Development Tax revenue as one possible funding source.

Wellfield is more than a sports complex. Venice Little League's move there is what frees Chuck Reiter Park on the island, and the agreement sets Oct. 1, 2029, as the latest date for that move.

What the Nov. 3 ballot has to do with the City's parks

Amendment 3 is on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot. Its official ballot summary would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, then adjust it for inflation. It would cut the yearly cap on non-homestead assessment increases from 10% to 5%. It would also require local property-tax revenue to go to listed purposes, with other spending allowed if local governing bodies approve it. If passed, it takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The City of Venice's explainer estimates the amendment would reduce City revenue by about $5.4 million. That is roughly 10% of the general fund, phased in over budget years FY 2028 and FY 2029. The City says property taxes help pay for parks and recreation through the general fund. It lists possible effects including deferred maintenance, less room for capital projects, reduced staffing or service levels, and exploring park-and-recreation assessments. The same page says about 27 cents of each property-tax dollar stays with Venice, and that public safety accounts for about 58% of the general fund in FY 2026.

Those numbers sit right next to the parks Venice took back on Oct. 1. The City now pays for Hecksher, Legacy, Higel Marine and the rest from the same general fund its explainer is talking about. Wellfield waits on a separate County budget decision. This is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. How the amendment would affect your own property is a question for your tax professional or the Sarasota County Property Appraiser.

For more on how the south end of the county uses its outdoor spaces, see how the Legacy Trail's Venice section compares with Sarasota's and our fall guide to what's open in downtown Venice and Downtown Wellen.

If you have questions about the parks near your part of Venice, or about what the Wellfield and master plan timelines could mean for your street, Jayne Del Medico is happy to talk them through. Let's Connect.