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Commissioners greenlight public–private partnership for Mid‑County skate park
Summary
The Sarasota County Commission unanimously directed staff to pursue terms with a private donor and California Skateparks to build a world‑class skate park in the Shearer Preserve area in Mid County.
Sarasota County commissioners on July 8 unanimously directed staff to proceed with terms for a public–private partnership to build a Mid‑County skate park, with a private donor and California Skateparks proposing a multi‑discipline facility designed to host training and competitions.
The Board of County Commissioners voted 5–0 to authorize staff to work with developer Justin Junda and California Skateparks, the design/build firm the developer has chosen, to develop terms for a potential agreement and return with a proposed contract.
The project would use underdeveloped county land east of Honore Avenue and west of I‑75 in the Oscar Shearer/Shear‑Thaxton Preserve area and is proposed as a mix of replicated “famous spot” features, bowls, a competition street course, and a pump‑track, the parks director said. The concept includes boardwalk connections and preservation of existing large trees to create shaded skating areas.
Nicole Ressler, director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, said the developer’s team tested designs at the site and pledged to build “around the trees” to keep the preserve’s character. Commissioners emphasized the project’s potential to draw sports tourism and said the donor has indicated funding to build and maintain the facility; commissioners asked staff to return with terms that include durability and a maintenance/endowment plan.
Commissioner Nancy Mast, who moved the motion, said the park would honor the donor’s family and provide a long‑term recreation asset for youth and athletes. Commissioner Mark Smith and others said they expect the donor to fully fund construction and to propose an endowment or similar mechanism to cover long‑term upkeep.
Next steps: staff will negotiate terms with the developer and California Skateparks, prepare a draft agreement and community‑use and maintenance commitments, and return to the commission for approval of any contract. The board’s vote was unanimous.
Ending: If the commission and the proposer reach agreement, staff said it will return with a binding term sheet and a draft public‑private agreement for final approval and any required permitting.
