The City of Venice is developing a new Parks Master Plan, and residents have a direct shot at shaping what the city’s nearly 40 parks look like for the next two decades. Consultants have already completed tours of the entire park system, and the process now shifts to public outreach, with an online survey and four public events scheduled for this fall.
Planning and Zoning Director Roger Clark said the year-long effort will produce a needs assessment and a draft master plan built around 5, 10, and 20-year horizons. That means everything from short-term fixes to long-term projects will be on the table, including topics like whether Legacy Park is underused and what improvements could draw more visitors. The city is also preparing to take over additional parks from Sarasota County and reviewing population growth projections as part of the planning.
Input isn’t limited to Venice residents. The city specifically wants to hear from non-residents who regularly use Venice parks, since those visitors are part of the daily life of the system too. Clark’s message to the community is straightforward: more hands make better plans. Whether you’re a pickleball regular, a dog park devotee, or a grandparent scouting playgrounds, this is your window to weigh in before spending decisions get locked in.
Which Venice park do you visit most, and what would you change about it?
