Board Approves First Phase of Beach Renovation

Ken Abt supervises brush and root removal between parking area and pavilion.

Phase one of Lido Shores Pavillion and beach area renovation is moving forward. The Board of Directors unanimously approved the Beach/Landscaping Committee's plan to rejuvenate and beautify our most valuable asset. The Beach/Landscaping Committee, chaired by Ken Abt, has been working on the plan for the past several months. It was unveiled to the board at it's May 7th monthly meeting.

The first phase of the project, designed by Deeply Rooted Landscaping Services, calls for adding 10-cold hardy Sabal Palms, and a number of other native plants, including sea grapes, oats, sunflowers and grasses. It's budgeted for $3,000. Ken also reported that Sarasota County Parks and Recreation department has agreed to extend the split rail fence bordering North Lido Beach Park the length of our property all the way to the sand dunes, at the county's expense. It will make a good buffer between our property and folks wandering in the park.

Kent Williams pruning trees along entry path.

A bobcat was already hard at work Tuesday, clearing out remaining Brazilian Pepper roots, poison ivy and other invasive plants between the parking lot and the pavilion, while leaving any sea oats or other thriving native plants undisturbed. The lone Australian pine tree in the northwest corner will also be removed. Ken— along with Kent Williams—spent the day clearing years of overgrown brush and other invasive plants inside the second gate entry area.

Bobcat at work removing weeds and roots.

You might remember several months ago, Ken's initial foray into the "bush" resulted in a toxic case of poison ivy, along with fellow adventurer Richard LaBrie. This time, despite the heat, Ken and Kent were wearing long sleeves and jeans.

Before any plants go into the ground, our long neglected well water system must be repaired. Larry Reinebach, along with Kevin Berkebile have volunteered to tackle that project. Once water is flowing again, and the first round of plants go in, committee members will hand water them. County Horticulturist Ellis Bennington estimates we'll need 15-gallons per palm daily for the first month, three-times a week for the second month and twice a week for month three. We're also counting on mother nature to help with some much needed rain this summer as well. Everything that is being planted is salt tolerant and native to the beach area, and once established, should require only minimal maintenance.

Portion of landscape sketch showing projected planting areas

If all goes well, and members are pleased, additional phases would include more palms, blue saw palmetto, beach elder, coco plum shrubs, salt meadow cordgrass, necklace pod and jamaica caper.

Our thanks to Ken and committee, (Carol Bowen, Phil Fuoco, Dan Mills, Kent Williams, Ken McMillen, and Bob Thill), for their time and effort to restore our priceless beach front property.

~BT

Long neglected well water system to be repaired and updated.