The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

The Lake Sarasota Community Group voted unanimously to go forward with a Neighborhood Grant Application that would be used to beautify Mauna Loa Boulevard and create a children's ecological walkway from Mauna Loa to the school crossing at Hand Road. The group -- a non-profit, all-volunteer association that collects no dues and does not impose deed restrictions -- took the action at its regular Sept. 12th general meeting. Sarasota County is currently accepting applications for neighborhood grants for up to $10,000. Proposals must be in by November and those that are accepted for funding will hear in early 2014. The focus on Mauna Loa evolved over the course of a lengthy brainstorming session that considered other options. What made it most appealing was the potential to tie in the planting of attractive trees and plants along the length of Mauna Loa with the prospective new landscaping that the County intends to install along Bee Ridge Road when that road is widened. The ide...

The task was simple: 55 trees in eight medians along Mauna Loa required 170 bags of mulch: And fertilizer, organized for each median island by Ray: Ray got the mulch and fertilizer by utilizing county grant funds. Once again, we owe a debt of thanks to Sarasota County Neighborhood Services , in particular to Debbie Marks, the county liaison who has been there for us from the beginning, four years ago. The fertilizer and mulch were on-site by 8:30 a.m. yesterday: Ray A small band of volunteers began distributing the mulch to the median islands, while an even small band began trimming and weeding: Desiree and Josh Other bags were distributed to other volunteers at Wake Avenue, where the sign was recently refurbished, and at Hina Park: Thanks to all who turned out and gave their time and strength. Update: A "thank you" from Ray, and a few more pics taken by Tina and Desiree:  I really appreciate each of the volunteers that attended our clean up. What a GREA...