Hardwood Hammock Hike at Rothenbach Park

Hardwood Hammock Hike at Rothenbach Park 

Join Sarasota County Parks Naturalist, Jennifer Rogers, for a nature hike through the hardwood hammock habitats of Rothenbach Park on Sunday, December 11, 2011, from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the majestic oaks in the natural area of this multi-use park, and a chance at seeing the often present white-tailed deer! Rothenbach Park is unique among all Sarasota County Parks in that it is the site of the (closed) capped Bee Ridge Landfill – a mountain of trash turned into a community treasure.

The Bee Ridge Landfill was open at this site from 1972 until its closure and final capping in 2000. The site remains under Florida Department of Environmental Protection oversight as a capped landfill. Participants should wear appropriate shoes for walking on both paved and sandy trails.

 Recommended items to bring are camera/binoculars, bird and/or Florida field guide, water, insect repellent, and sun protection. All Sarasota County nature walks prohibit participants from smoking or bringing pets.

 To reach Rothenbach Park, 8650 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, take I-75 to Exit 207 (Bee Ridge Road). Travel east on Bee Ridge Road for approximately 3 miles to the end. The park entrance will be on your right. Meet at the Turkey Trail trailhead at Rothenbach Park. The parking lot for this trailhead is located on the opposite side of the landfill mound from the park entrance and accessible by a gravel access drive. After passing through the park gate and passing the park sign on the left, take a left onto the access drive (paved to start).

 For more information or to register over the phone, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Jennifer Rogers (jrogers@scgov.net).

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