27-05-2025
Sarasota County can expand Indian Mound Park after buying adjacent hurricane damaged house
Sarasota County will spend about $1.3 million to purchase a small site next to Indian Mound Park in Englewood, as part of its Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program.
The new lot would add 105 feet of bay frontage to the park. A county plan said the property could be used for public fishing, birding, launching of canoes and kayaks, and parking after the existing house on the site is demolished.
The County Commission approved the purchase at its May 20 meeting.
Indian Mound Park in Englewood is mainly used as a boat launch into Lemon Bay; the 0.68-acre property the county aims to purchase at 200 Winson Ave. is the first house to the park's north.
The county first attempted to purchase the property in 2015 but couldn't agree on a price. However, after the house and 100-foot dock were damaged by the 2024 hurricanes, the property was again nominated for the parkland acquisition program and county officials were able to close the deal.
The site costs the county $750,000; the Sarasota County Property Appraiser's office valued the land at $549,100 in 2024.
Beginning in 2026, operation and maintenance costs will come from Sarasota County's Environmentally Sensitive Land Fund.
Nicole Rissler, the county director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, wrote in a memo that the land could enhance public water access in Englewood and expand Indian Mound Park.
Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email him at ccasale@ or christiancasale@
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County to add 105 feet of bayfront to Indian Mound Park
