Rothenbach Park – Ceasar’s Weed Scramble!

On Tuesday, May 29^th, 9 – noon

A volunteer work morning at Rothenbach Park will focus on removal of the invasive exotic Caesar’s weed plant. 

Bring your bicycle if you can for ease in traversing along the paved trail through the beautiful hammock to the locations of ceasar’s weed. 

Meet at the pavilion (restrooms) at 9 a.m. 

Recommendations: bring drinking water; sun protection; and, mosquito protection.  Bring work gloves if you have some you like to use, otherwise staff will provide.

Call (941-441-5214) to RSVP and for more info.

Volunteer for all or part of the time.  RSVP if you’ll be joining later.

I am the contact. 941-441-5214

Thank you!

-Jen J

36-Hour Giving Challenge

Dear Member of The Friends of Sarasota County Parks,

We know you’re passionate about The Friends, and on March 27, you can help us score big in the 36-Hour Giving Challenge!

The 36-Hour Giving Challenge is an online giving event inspiring donors and citizen philanthropists to learn more about the nonprofits and causes in Southwest Florida they care about most. Only nonprofits with complete profiles in The Giving Partner, a local online tool helping donors make more informed decisions about their charitable giving, can participate in this special challenge. That’s us! You can check out our profile anytime.

On Marcy 27, as close to 6 am as you can, Support the Friends by doing this:

1. Go here.

2. Type "friends" into the search and locate our profile. (The link is not there yet, but will be at 6 am on Tuesday March 27).

3. Enter your credit card info.

COUNTDOWN WEBSITE

Air Potato Pick-Up Jan. 24th!

What's up in Parks?

Get out and see - all upcoming Nature Events in Sarasota County are here (Nov.) and here (Dec.) on the 

Friends of Sarasota County Parks Site

The latest FOSCP Newsletter

The latest newsletter from FOSCP -- the Friends of Sarasota County Parks -- is out. Click here to view, and here to sign up for it.

Spring into Snook Haven March 12th

Come out to the Spring into Outdoors Snook Haven Fest on Saturday, March 12th and you'll not only have fun, but you could win a fantastic prize:

A $1,800 Hobie Pedal Kayak:

Or, a $700 64 Gig iPad:


Or, a $400 DJB Charters Fishing Boat Cruise. Lots more prizes will be raffled or sold at auction, plus games for kids, a Cornhole tournament, food, music by the Gumbo Boogie Band, all happening at Snook Haven on the idyllic Myakka River.

These are limited raffles. There are only 300 tickets in the whole world for this kayak, and only 250 each for the iPad and the Charter Boat, so chances of winning are VERY GOOD! Tickets will be on sale at the event, if any are left. Or, you can get them NOW at any of Evie's locations.

Note: This is a Friends of Sarasota County Parks (FOSCP) event -- that's to say, it's a fundraiser that benefits all the public parks of Sarasota County. FOSCP is a 501(c)3, and donations are fully tax-deductible.

***Click for more about fun to be had at the Snook Haven Fest***

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***Vendors and Raffle Info***

With great gratitude to the Outdoor Fest's Gold Sponsors:

Urfer Family Park Celebrates First Birthday

Celebration today at Urfer Family Park!

Some pics from last Saturday's Eco-Egg Hunt

Where a great time was had by all:

T-Shirt Sale

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.

Walking Rothenbach Park

Interested in learning more about one of Sarasota's newest parks? Come out this Tuesday at 1 p.m. to the pavilion at Rothenbach Park for a guided walk through the park's hammocks. Learn about the flora and fauna - this is the only park with free ranging deer in Sarasota - with Sarasota County naturalist Lynda Eppinger.

For those interested, there will be a brief Friends of Rothenbach Park meeting after the walk.

Rothenbach Park group meets on Tues. Jan. 26th, 3 p.m.

Fresh from a successful Air Potato Pick-Up last Saturday,  the Friends of Rothenbach Park will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26th, at the Pavilion at Rothenbach Park, beginning at 3 p.m.

The group will review the event and address upcoming events, including a possible first anniversary day at the park on April 25th.

All those interested in this lovely park are welcome to join us on Tuesday.

Don't Forget!

The first Great Air Potato Pick-Up  will take place this Saturday, Jan. 16th. Click here for basic info and here for more on what to bring, etc.

The regular volunteers from the community are welcome anytime from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those who hope to qualify for a Disney Day should get there between 8 and 9 a.m. in order to be registered properly. There will also be a sign-out procedure for Disneyites.

It's a great way to get some exercise, enjoy a lovely park, help keep the park in good shape, meet people, and get a free sandwich -- food will be served at 1 pm at the pavilion for all workers. Come out, see and be seen...