Sarasota County Will to Open Beaches for Essential Activities Only, this Monday, April 27th
Sarasota County has approximately 35 miles of beaches... So what are Essential Activities?
Sarasota County Beaches will be open for: fishing, biking, running, walking, swimming and surfing, ONLY!
You MUST leave your coolers, beach towels for sunbathing, canopies and chairs at home. There is No hanging out!
Also not allowed are group activities such as: beach yoga, the drum circle and activities, such as volleyball.
Sarasota County is following a similar track to Jacksonville Beach... they have reopened, with restrictions... ONLY for those who want to walk, bike, swim, or fish.
Also… the parking lots will NOT be open, at least not until the next commission meeting, next week. The commission said… they will see “how it goes” during this first phase of the beaches opening, before opening the public parking lots. Concerns were brought up about the people who will come from inland and park on private property, but the parking restrictions will remain as of now.
Sarasota County beaches were closed March 21st. Manatee County also closed beaches that day.
Other Local Areas have been mixed with their decisions to Open or Close, these areas...
The City of Venice will also open their Beaches, this Monday… However, their beaches will ALSO follow the same social distancing, essential-activity-only guidelines.
The South Jetty, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Paw Park, playgrounds and tennis court will stay closed.
The City of Sarasota will not open its Boat Ramps or Lido Beach at this time. The city says… city decisions are guided by science, data, and credible public health advice, given the high concentration of positive results and older demographics on our barrier islands, we will continue to evaluate the situation on a daily basis before lessening restrictions.
The City of North Port will begin reopening all city parks for public use on Monday. With the expectation of “social distancing”.
The community centers, Warm Mineral Springs Park and the North Port Aquatic Center will remain temporarily closed.
Manatee County - These Beaches remain closed for now, although ALL county owned boar ramps are open... Commissioners will meet next week and reassess. Manatee County beaches were closed March 21st, the same day as Sarasota County closed its beaches.
In Charlotte County Englewood Beach and Port Charlotte Beach are set to open on Monday, April 27th ...
In Lee County, County Leaders decided Tuesday, April 21st their beaches would remained closed, at this time. They will review that decision, next week.