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Nathan Benderson Park, located at 2500 Honore Ave., is a unique 600-acre park which provides the public access to a 500-acre lake and two smaller lakes for non-motorized boating, fishing, bird-watching and related activities. The county purchased the site in the early 1990’s. Before that, the property had been an active shell excavation pit for road construction fill. Cooper Creek enters the east side of the large lake and exits at the northwest corner. Nathan Benderson park is situated west of Interstate 75 and east of The Meadows residential community. The future north Cattlemen Road extension will provide additional access to the park and its amenities. Existing park amenities include:
- Concrete boat ramp
- Fishing pier
- Small picnic shelter
- Restrooms
- Recreational trail
One of a handful of sites in North America identified as having all of the natural attributes that make up a premiere rowing facility, Nathan Benderson Park began hosting organized regatta competitions in 2009. The Sarasota County Commission has demonstrated its support for further development of the park into a state-of-the-art rowing facility with a financial commitment tied to Sarasota county’s Tourism Development Tax (TDT).
The Local Regatta Organizing Committee, Sarasota Board of County Commissioners, Sarasota Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, and several hundred volunteers collaborated this spring to sharpen the focus on development of Sarasota’s future home of world-class rowing at Nathan Benderson Park.
Visit the websites below for more information on rowing regattas:The park is bordered on the north by University Town Center, which is currently under development by Benderson Development. Benderson and Sarasota County have partnered together to plan for future improvements and have held several community workshops to solicit ideas for the future recreational opportunities at Nathan Benderson Park. A detailed master plan has been developed to ensure environmental and neighborhood compatibilities. The park has the capability to balance community recreation needs and provide a venue for large specialty events. The planned world class recreational venue will provide for community rowing (youth, adults and seniors), adaptive rowing (disabled veterans, youth/adults with mental and physical disabilities), corporate events, training and practice for junior and collegiate crews, local, regional, national and international regattas.
Events Include:
- Triathalon
- Canoe/Kayaking
- Community Outreach
- Stand-up Paddleboard
- Dragon Boat Racing
- Water Polo
- 5K & 10K Run
The finish line is just south of Fishermans Island @ Blackburn Point Park.
(Sarasota Crew)
(Sarasota Rowing Club)
(Sarasota Skullers)
