MORE THAN 300 NEW TREES TO BE PLANTED AT NATHAN BENDERSON PARK THIS WEEK
The 325 trees will join 100 planted in 2020; the planting will address visitors’ desire for more shade
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Sept. 1, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT:
Douglas E. Jessmer
Media and Communications Manager
941-374-8492, douglas@sanca.us
SARASOTA-BRADENTON, Fla.: More trees, more shade, and a better landscape for the future — coming to Nathan Benderson Park.
More than 300 new trees are being planted along a mile-long stretch between North Cattlemen Road and the park’s Cooper Creek Lake. Both run parallel to Interstate 75’s west edge, between the University Parkway and Fruitville Road exits. The planting began Monday, Aug. 30.
Research in mid-2020 by the nonprofit operator of the park showed many visitors wanted more shade. The nonprofit, Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA), is acting on what became an overwhelming suggestion.
The 325 new trees join another 100 trees planted in 2020. Sarasota County Government and other partners funded both the 2020 trees and the new trees, their irrigation and planting.
The new trees are Florida-friendly and include Florida flame red maples, gumbo limbos, southern red cedars, wax myrtles, slash pines, cathedral live oaks, cabbage palmettos, pond and bald cypresses, and winged elms. They will join the 2020 plantings of Florida flame red maples, southern magnolias, slash pines, cathedral live oaks and cabbage palmettos.
SANCA Chief Operating Officer Stephen V. Rodriguez thanked Sarasota County, Cherrylake Nursery, TLC Landscaping and the park’s partners “for their support in bringing more shade to the park.”
“This is an investment in the park that will live on,” he said, “and we look forward to seeing future generations of residents and visitors enjoying the beauty, shelter and natural habitat these trees will provide.”
The trees, when mature, may reach heights of 120 feet for the cathedral live oaks and 50 feet for the slash pines. Most of the other trees will reach 30 to 40 feet. The planting will also develop into a sound barrier for the park from Interstate 75.
— NBP —
About SANCA at Nathan Benderson Park
Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates Inc. (SANCA) is a not-for-profit 501c3 business created to manage Nathan Benderson Park (NBP), a community/public asset and world-class, multi-use sports venue. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our community and be an economic generator for our region. SANCA’s primary purpose is to develop and promote NBP as a world-class event center, team training site and Sarasota County park, while providing outreach programs through recreation, safety training, education and volunteering as a service to our community. For more information, go to nathanbendersonpark.org/about-us/sanca-mission.
