The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, contact us at pubcom@scgov.net .    County seeks input from Longboat Key residents on draft concept plan for park TODAY:   The Town of Longboat Key and Sarasota County are asking for feedback on proposed amenities and park features for Bayfront Park.  See how community gardens grow at Fall Open House TODAY:  Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension is hosting free open houses at community gardens throughout the county from  4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30  as part of "Eat Local Week," sponsored by Transition Sarasota. Change smoke alarm batteries when you turn your clocks back   SATURDAY :   As you turn your clocks back for Daylight Saving Time this weekend, take a moment to also consider checking your smoke alarms.  Family festival at Celery Fields SATURDAY :  Sarasota County and the Sar...

Lake Sarasota is at the lowest water level it's been in quite some time.  (Note: the water pumped into the canals has nothing to do with the depletion -- we just need rain.) Rougly 56 years ago, when it was Sunshine Springs and Gardens, the lake looked like this: And here's a view of the canal and resort that was built to attract buyers here in the mid 1950's: The video moves back and forth between Cypress Gardens and Sunshine Springs and Gardens . About 4:01 minutes in, you see our lake, and at about 4:15, the concrete grandstand that still can be seen at the lake, but here it's bright white, as is the sand that rings the lake: If you know anyone with more footage or photos or other recollections of the early days of Lake Sarasota, please get in touch with us at LakeSarasota@gmail.com . Thanks to Winter resident Beany for pointing us to the canal photo and the video.