Eco-Egg Hunt this Saturday

This Saturday, April 3, bring the kids out to the Rothenbach Park Eco-Egg Hunt.

Instead of eggs, we'll be picking up Air Potatoes from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. - bring the family!

• wear socks and tennis shoes
• have some pink lemonade
• kids will win candy for their efforts.

Air potatoes are an invasive plant that harms native vegetation and disrupts native habitat. This event is designed as a fun way for young and old to give back to your community.

At Rothenbach Park, 8350 Bee Ridge Road

Take Bee Ridge east past I-75, until it dead ends at Rothenbach Park. Continue into the park, past the gate, turn right and park in the playground/shelter area.

A few shots from the Tour de Parks, Rothenbach Park

Bicyclists from Illinois

Families in the Tour de Parks

Parks and Rec Manager John McCarthy, mini-cam 

on helm, and Walt Rothenbach

Congratulations to the more than 80 cyclists who came through the Rothenbach Park rest area on Sunday!

Close to a ton

That's how many air potatoes a crew of volunteers collected at the park on Saturday - the bags and buckets stuffed with the invasive seeds were actually weighed before being sent to the dumpster. Below are some of the valiant helpers - thanks to all!

Tour de Parks heading for Rothenbach

If you're coming out to Rothenbach Park Sunday morning, expect to see a number of bicyclists from the Tour de Parks - at last count, we're expecting 87 riders to make it all the way from Venice. Voulunteers will be on hand with water, snacks, and even an electric tire pump.

Volunteer for a Fun Time! Saturday, March 27th, 9 a.m. to Noon

The air potato plant covers trees and plants with its abundant green leaves. While some might find the look appealing, it is in fact a dangerous invasive plant that suffocates the native plant life it uses for support.

In order to support our park's native plants, it is necessary to remove as many invasive plants as possible.  On March 27th, the Friends of Rothenbach Park are holding a fun day event aimed at removing those plants while creating a picnic atmosphere with light snacks and camaraderie.

Please join us at in beautifying our park as we go along the trail removing invasive air potato bulbs and their vines.

 Families and volunteers of all ages are welcome. A County Park Naturalist will be on hand to answer your questions.

Bring:

• a hat
• gloves 
• bottled water
• a bike

 and wear closed-toe shoes.

Work will begin at 9 a.m. When you arrive, park in the shell parking lot and register there as a volunteer. If you know of any high school students who need community service hours, this is a good opportunity for them.

 If you haven't been on Rothenbach Park's trails, they are beautiful. Park in the shell parking lot -- from there, signs will direct you to the work site. Bring your bikes to ride or it is a shady 26-minute walk.

Thanks for volunteering.

Rothenbach Park is located at 8659 Bee Ridge Road. Drive 1.5 miles East of Interstate 75 on Bee Ridge Road to the four-way stop. The park entrance is visible from here.

If you have questions, please call Connie at 371-1180 or email rothenbachpark05@gmail.com - Thank you!

Wildlife Week is coming March 15-21

Dear Friend,

National Wildlife Week, March 15-21, is conveniently timed with the first week of daylight savings this year. Take advantage of the extra hour you’ll gain to spend quality time outdoors with your family. National Wildlife Federation offers fun hands-on activities for kids and adults alike to help you gear up for spring.

Start getting wild this season with activities like making winter art with your kids and identifying birds in your backyard or a local park. These outdoor activities are perfect for the whole family (and friends) to do together.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar to celebrate National Wildlife Week in March. Participate by committing to National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There campaign, which gives back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: a connection to the natural world.

Help your kids foster a lifelong love of wildlife. There’s a reason they call it the great outdoors!

Sincerely,

Ashleigh Poff
Be Out There Education Team
National Wildlife Federation 

www.beoutthere.org

Google for Bicyclists

Just in time for the Tour de Parks, Google is building bike maps to help bicyclists navigate streets, hills, safe roads:



A note from Creative Loafing on the county's Legacy Trail:

LEGACY TRAIL Various points of entry south of Clark Road in Sarasota to Center Road in Venice (861-5000 or scg.co.sarasota.fl.us/rails-to-trails). We’re still a year out before Sarasota County’s massive Legacy Trail nears completion, but the framework is in place and people are already strolling, jogging and biking down the pastoral 10.5 mile stretch.

The former CSX Transportation railroad corridor runs from just south of Clark Road to Center Road in Venice, broken only by old railroad trestles slated for replacement or rehabilitation next year. Although you can access the path at a dozen locations, parking at the end points can be a pain; the county’s recent purchase of 10 acres on the south terminus of Legacy will remedy half that problem fairly quickly. Slather on the sunscreen and slap on a hat for a weekend jaunt down Sarasota’s entrée into suburban hiking. The attraction is free.

T-Shirt Sale

Change in Park Hours

A note from the county parks people:

Just to let you know that the park hours for Rothenbach Park have changed as per request from Solid Waste.

New park hours (to be implemented immediately):

6 a.m. to 6 p.m. November 1st through March 31st

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 1st through October 31st.

The change includes reduced hours for the month of March only.

Stay Tuned

Friends of Rothenbach will be at the park on Saturday, March 27 to pick up air potatoes throughout the hammocks.

There's also a children's event in the planning stages for Saturday, April 3 -- an Easter Egg and Air Potato Pick-Up, most likely beginning at 9:30. More details as they're firmed up.