[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6502015,"mediaKeyId","5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5","parentId",5618852,"title","City sustainability staff proposes small water‑quality signs at access points to supplement state testing","audioSeconds",861,"startMs",906000,"endMs",1767000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5&start=906&end=1767","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5/thumbnail_906000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502015/Florida/City-sustainability-staff-proposes-small-waterquality-signs-at-access-points-to-supplement-state-testing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502015-3b7db811637424c4fb706a67d461b7c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995389&Signature=KFUkqohlhR3yDTGJiQ7VXnXQzYuqaF2DgtfGQPYo1rXiw6CzlxjjpUUyuBUC2sPMhNV3Evkm4L8rIt~5VmsmFh7z4xatIHPVN5F9SgcGRVwWIJerMPmxTZU49N1K-BvifAi1uze81gLndq39iMz1SHdVv225MjPYFhEcmKsajaT-Jmw4jvLGG1fLRBuLJicjOLO8flKvlLkoFa3YsuyqDDbYTZNg1fMK3qX4ERitDBOTW8hr1X65~GGARdtlQVfrsqAo80qxPHgOHAkF5WZg8v38o7euRCQ~9fSqsA0pFVQB-~~zrUoJ~dd9wjfP4HsCd-H1bAt3MAX0OTwpvXzjvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sarasota","date","2025-08-21T15:50:00Z","article","Aliyah Garrett, City of Sarasota sustainability and resilience manager, presented a draft water‑quality signage program to the Parks, Environmental Protection Board on Aug. 21, outlining two small sign types the city could install at bathing beaches and at smaller water access points to inform the public about testing and risk.

Garrett said the Florida Department of Health is the state agency that tests water quality at bathing beaches and noted a regulatory requirement that “they have to have 2 bad samples” before posting a no‑swim advisory, which can delay public notification. She said the city’s signs would clarify that the Department of Health does not test most water access points and would include a stormwater warning, a QR code linking to tested bathing beaches and other resources, and contact information for the Department of Health.

“I am not a big fan of sign pollution, so we have designed them in a way that they're small and could be integrated with other existing signs,” Garrett said, describing the proposed permanent 12‑by‑18 signs.

Garrett said she has shared draft language with the city attorney’s office and with local stakeholders including Suncoast Waterkeeper, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and the Lido Key Residents Association. She described two possible installation tiers: bathing beaches (e.g., Lido, which the Department of Health tests) and other water access points such as Bay Park and Bird Key Park.

On communications, Garrett said she drafted a standard operating procedure and social‑media messages for events such as spills, heavy storms or hurricanes and hoped the city communications team could push outreach “within 48 hours” when feasible. She said the city could not order people out of the water but can educate residents about increased risk after storms.

Board members asked about coordinating with county testing and outreach. Garrett said she has notified the county extension director and that the county “would probably loop in parks and other departments as well,” but she did not say the county had committed to adopting the same signage.

Other board members suggested specific local locations to include — for example, the Siesta Key north bridge launch area where people board glass‑bottom canoes — and raised concerns about how the signs and messages would be distributed and kept current.

Garrett also placed the signage idea within a broader parks sustainability agenda that includes waste reduction, canopy/heat‑mitigation planning and criteria for evaluating park projects by ecology, resilience and access.

Board members did not take formal action on the signage program during the meeting; Garrett said she would return for further input and coordination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sarasota - Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Aliyah Garrett, City of Sarasota sustainability and resilience manager, presented a draft water‑quality signage program to the Parks, Environmental Protection Board on Aug. 21, outlining two small sign types the city could install at bathing beaches and at smaller water access points to inform the public about testing and risk.","taxTitle","Sarasota City, Sarasota County, Florida","taxId",58306,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6501997,"Parks board unanimously accepts July 17 minutes",145,665000,810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5&start=665&end=810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5/thumbnail_665000.jpg","/articles/6501997/Florida/Parks-board-unanimously-accepts-July-17-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501997-f57c9744991d9ec80467a811e5e76129/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995389&Signature=IiKThVoLco9BEvyoSigVUKJVjqZ-bwe13XZJb~0TJ3RodUVoPlyngtcX~No4yOm-OgpnK3bXpQI0AaubQVZlYn-DmQ8NkFD1M~g1VMOSZQGBrDKd4td~98d5rUuyDtVJMJR97wvwb8ayjpH~FpKphXmrSUIWNaTNCkokSyyDOHkUIFFvKm5qtGQK1Uop0IicgV1mBbGLYjzNqkjztGpmSJLqi7ah5ZR4-0jdluNLeQMmJYVFBzVDiy5sEBzmaIU8n9QL51JUAV6ywwggp0-DcKdKMpHLNlv4cAWkhz-~Nz8hqt7zfju1-cuDBZlwaLFKsRZ1FOCTdQXM0fnYodx0Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the Aug. 21 meeting the board considered acceptance of the July 17 meeting minutes. A board member moved to accept the minutes and another member seconded. The chair called for the vote; the board answered “aye” and the motion “carries unanimously.”

The motion was made by Mr. Schofstall and seconded by Ron Watts, and the record reflects a unanimous vote in favor by members present.","The Parks, Environmental Protection Board moved and seconded acceptance of the July 17 meeting minutes; the motion carried unanimously with five yes votes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6502002,"Board hears Bobby Jones financial update and parks‑district funding discussion; members flag $12.5M for storm repairs and request further briefings",765,3006000,3771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5&start=3006&end=3771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5/thumbnail_3006000.jpg","/articles/6502002/Florida/Board-hears-Bobby-Jones-financial-update-and-parksdistrict-funding-discussion-members-flag-125M-for-storm-repairs-and-request-further-briefings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502002-3d6c72706c105d7bd689d145468b5f13/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995389&Signature=owf9kAJuR8u2qCOnXNhhKGbULzjBxEdVu9JuKmd7slNmIYe9QHfc5eYTqe5GA5g9cKCWoHbMf8rX9KdcjQyAUV4W9ySjgUOvjQH3VtNfOgycmfxmaUXU7mzG1ivg4vgrs1nH~SoZtYF6tShuU2Vo1T0GmPBWDwbozE4YZL1LoAkTL5r428u5V-5Sw3sT6yr8dGtptaB64IivNchXcj3StOs5tdA-64C6~144FDLd4fO0hOmf0PM-YeZ5uykiL3YQ9U~ZmOenkSv4CgwzzG7sNaxItprKGgKiLXySEzykykmbuAmG9c-mvMPCbmHTxkvPeyrsa211M6lgtBRiwH3YyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members reviewed financial and operational updates for city parks facilities and raised the broader funding question for multiple park repairs.

A board report noted July financials at the Bobby Jones complex performed better than budgeted (a small profit vs. a projected loss). Members said the practice range produced significant revenue, described in discussion as potentially “upwards of half a million dollars” in gross revenue, and noted management is considering enhancements and technology to grow range income. Board members also discussed the adjacent Gillespie property and potential changes to hours to accommodate earlier golfers.

The board noted uncertainty around the nearby Meadows clubhouse (reported to be in bankruptcy) and rumors that Benderson Development may be a potential purchaser; board members said the clubhouse structure has been in poor condition and that future use would influence local golf‑course planning.

Several members emphasized a larger parks funding need presented earlier by parks staff: a referenced $12.5 million estimate to repair storm damage across city parks. Members said this figure came from a separate budget presentation and urged a scheduled parks‑district briefing; one member asked the parks district to appear at the September meeting to discuss funding options and staged implementation.

Members also requested that city engineering staff (including the deputy city engineer) be invited to brief the board on Lido beach renourishment plans, which several members described as related to park sustainability and shoreline management. No formal financial commitments or votes were made at the Aug. 21 meeting.","Board members discussed Bobby Jones golf revenue, range income and potential clubhouse changes at nearby properties; members also raised a $12.5 million parks renovation shortfall tied to storm damage and requested a parks‑district briefing and presentations from city engineers on Lido beach renourishment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6502007,"Board reviews six downtown parks; members flag Orange Avenue community garden and Mary Dean basketball court for follow‑up",1191,1886000,3077000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5&start=1886&end=3077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5/thumbnail_1886000.jpg","/articles/6502007/Florida/Board-reviews-six-downtown-parks-members-flag-Orange-Avenue-community-garden-and-Mary-Dean-basketball-court-for-followup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502007-4c62a59fab04cc5dbc55fff4435620ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995389&Signature=GXlazh3BHGueUF~wZssPMp-fnayQApt0kQSa~S3h8wp79JQVFxZGO89Gw82j9l8TsFU-lHujlPdx4cLERdnS04oeLVuKymaR~LxNWBwqLR7RnU0~QlSGtYIl9kX4l5LbrIall1K91zJ6erKTjNxWsopOWbEVIzYmaqWVaKe2Yn98b2YFsDIh6yq4bIblmPObmUx3kEP3h7K7YdJyc14mVLWqBkvE3eXXGTQinz2t1cCrkk5Gn7SlyCN7dVv6Xv7xztSBW2rtagoeLqt5RS6nhiqYO2yk~hAtB96s5e~m1vb3Tqn3UyS2HTiLzInxepU26DtBBORI7H00sTqkWNctLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Member Plotkin presented an August parks review covering Mary Dean Park, Orange Avenue Park, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Fred Atkins Park and Firehouse Park, describing amenities, recent renovations and rental facilities.

Plotkin said Mary Dean Park is a family‑friendly, handicap‑accessible downtown site that received renovations in October 2024 including new benches, a turf play area and updated sidewalks. He noted a neighborhood conversation about the location of a basketball court, with some residents suggesting relocation to Pioneer Park, while others on the board said the small court provides a child‑friendly space that should remain.

On Orange Avenue Park, Plotkin and other board members noted a long list of suggested improvements from residents and that the park’s community garden presents a distinct set of stakeholders. Several speakers said the garden’s volunteers have invested substantial sweat equity and water/irrigation problems have occurred; multiple members recommended a separate meeting with gardeners to hear concerns and to treat garden questions separately from broader park planning.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Fred Atkins Park were described as family‑friendly, accessible sites with reservable facilities and community‑oriented programming; Plotkin noted Fred Atkins includes a dedication wall recognizing local African‑American leaders. Firehouse Park was described as a firefighter‑themed playground that is handicap accessible and suited to young children.

Board members also raised a horticultural concern at Arlington Park (raised in public comment): the pond’s shoreline/vegetation and recent herbicide spraying by the county. A board member said the pond has few birds this year and asked for a littoral‑zone management approach with parks staff and county partners.

Several members said they will continue outreach and return with conceptual plans and meeting dates where needed; no formal decisions were made during the presentation.","Member Plotkin reviewed Mary Dean, Orange Avenue, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fred Atkins and Firehouse parks and raised amenities, recent renovations and accessibility; several board members urged separate outreach on the Orange Avenue Park community garden due to competing uses and gardeners' investment.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6502012,"Arlington Park neighbors welcome proposed lifeguard‑building mural and community paint day",231,730000,961000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5&start=730&end=961","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5618852-43132e1577081d49cacf02062c0cbdf5/thumbnail_730000.jpg","/articles/6502012/Florida/Arlington-Park-neighbors-welcome-proposed-lifeguardbuilding-mural-and-community-paint-day","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502012-7030af987d968f953f5c19803b529535/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995389&Signature=WGjiegxY1sQQJL4z8KH0rmmBas1ADazIiMdqpUmjzixOzWJLWKtCXQc8vWbCzFfazxZthXjSyyKBYs40t5d5V5Cls0Ei-x8sXODV26Z4qR-p8gQEep3z2bOGK6tJg~FbKnGNPDO1-SiFeeyLCGYzfJd6GkCLbvHNdOzUjoD1EFSE7E-Ccx7PfYKHAdUUarmrOvtO34AM4h67yb4Gn9qOjSH5Rp7gC-V9IMS2DzkrODu0HgU0l-Xbp98aSvRQGelGyxpSYysTZEi3FNDtQfqAcqhzV03ALW39HcPUu6PdiV7kSX7L5uHyGY2Q7eSaHulhWfMYooMOZpUjks9iYNjy0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Flo Entler, Arlington Park Neighborhood President and a 36‑year Sarasota resident, told the Parks, Environmental Protection Board that the neighborhood largely supports a proposed mural on the Arlington Park pool lifeguard building and that the Public Art Committee unanimously approved the design on Aug. 4.

“I forwarded the proposal from Alyssa Silvers,” Entler said, and reported that “99% of the feedback we received was very positive” after the neighborhood email and Facebook post. Entler said public arts staff will meet the artist to schedule a community paint day in which local children and families can paint small pre‑outlined sections of the mural.

Entler thanked city staff for coordinating the proposal, saying the mural “will be a beautiful addition to the pool area for all to enjoy.” Board members present did not take formal action during the meeting on the mural; Entler’s remarks were offered during the public comment period for the board to hear community sentiment.

The board’s subsequent discussion did not dispute the proposal; other speakers noted storm‑damaged tree removal and ongoing plantings in Arlington Park but did not request changes to the mural plan. Entler said she had been contacted by Mark Hamilton, the city’s parks and recreation general manager, and Sierra Coleman, public arts administrator, during the proposal process.","Arlington Park neighborhood president Flo Entler told the Parks board the proposed mural for the Arlington Park pool lifeguard building received overwhelmingly positive neighborhood feedback and the Public Art Committee approved the design; a community paint day with children participating is planned.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City sustainability staff proposes small water‑quality signs at access points to supplement state testing

Parks board unanimously accepts July 17 minutes

Board hears Bobby Jones financial update and parks‑district funding discussion; members flag $12.5M for storm repairs and request further briefings

Board reviews six downtown parks; members flag Orange Avenue community garden and Mary Dean basketball court for follow‑up

Arlington Park neighbors welcome proposed lifeguard‑building mural and community paint day