Quad Parcels
The Quad Parcels buffer the western edge of the Celery Fields from industrial areas and in the future will be a vibrant place of community gathering.
The Story
Big Waters Land Trust and Sarasota Audubon Society have worked toward a shared vision of transforming the Quad Parcels into a special place in their own right, diversifying the habitat, adding additional opportunities for passive recreation, and creating a destination to be enjoyed by all. The re-wilding of the Quad Parcels will provide diverse habitats for a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. We envision a special place for the public to reap all the benefits nature has to offer mind, body, and soul.
The area will be designed for easy public access and enjoyment throughout. The northeast quad will have a naturally graded pond more suitable for water birds, extensive plantings, an osprey platform, and trails all around. The southeast quad will have high and low points of terrain along a meandering stream, a wildflower meadow, and a bird blind offering a closer look at the majestic birds which come to fish and feed in the quiet waters.
The southwestern quad includes features for visitors of all ages: a Celery Fields history walk along a winding path, a natural play area for kids, shaded picnic tables, open areas, along with parking and facilities. Future trails and walkways will be ADA-compliant.
Why it Matters
The Quad Parcels buffer the western edge of the environmentally important Celery Fields from industrial areas. The Celery Fields is both a nationally and internationally recognized birding hotspot and vital to water quality and flood protection in the area. The perpetual conservation easement of the three parcels ensures that these public lands and our improvements will remain for the public to enjoy forever. The improvements will create a woodland that will attract more and varied birds as well as more public access including an ADA-accessible trail. The Celery Fields is a site on the Great Florida Birding Trail and a tributary to Phillippi Creek and Little Sarasota Bay.
Just the Facts
33
acres
Date Acquired
2020
- Adjacent to the Celery Fields at the intersection of Palmer Blvd and Apex Road in Sarasota County
- Sarasota County Board of Commissioners gifted a perpetual conservation easement on the northeast, southeast, and southwest Quad parcels to Big Waters Land Trust
- Sarasota Audubon Society manages the property
- Big Waters and Sarasota Audubon Society are developing plans to improve the land for nature and for people and fundraising jointly for this project
