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Park board asks county to remove invasive plants from Arlington Park Pond
Summary
After residents described the pond as 'an old mud hole' choked with invasive yellow nutsedge, the Sarasota City Park, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board voted to ask the county to perform physical (nonchemical) removal while the pond is low.
The Sarasota City Park, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board voted to ask the county to physically remove invasive plants at Arlington Park Pond after residents described the basin as severely overgrown.
A board member moved that the board "request that the county come to the Arlington Park Pond and do a physical removal of the invasive plants that surround the pond…without chemicals, as soon as possible to take advantage of the low water level." Another board member seconded the motion and the board recorded aye votes; the motion passed.
Resident Tracy Sachs told the board the basin is exposed and "growing huge amounts of yellow nutsedge" that she estimated covers about 40% of the area. "It's just an old mud hole with some dirty turtles in it," Sachs said, urging the board to investigate and act before the plants spread further.
Flo Antler, president of the Arlington Park neighborhood, said neighbors have complained about both the pond condition and contractor practices, and said the community is exploring a "Friends of Arlington Park" volunteer group to help maintain the area. She said she has been in touch with county contacts and would like to coordinate neighborhood volunteers with city and county staff.
Board members and staff discussed options ranging from a volunteer work session to asking the county to act. Parks staff cautioned that volunteers must file formal volunteer applications and complete background checks; staff also warned that safety and coordination with county responsibilities must be addressed before volunteers begin work.
The motion asks county crews specifically for physical removal — staff and several board members emphasized that removing the plants now, while the pond is low, would be easier than chemical treatment or trying to remove the plants once submerged.
The board asked members to email District 2 County Commissioner Mark Smith and to contact county staff as they pursue the request. Staff also said it would follow up with the county to develop a coordinated plan and report back to the advisory board.
