Leadership Sarasota, a program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, is making Venice's Michael Biehl Park a focus, with plans to improve the local park as part of a community service project.
Located next to
Venice Theatre on West Tampa Avenue, improvements will be made to the park with $5,000 of seed money that was given to
Leadership Sarasota by the
local chamber of commerce to get the project off of the ground.
ProGo Solutions, a company specializing in agronomic solutions, will also play an instrumental role in the project, as well as the
City of Venice, the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Venice Theatre.
In addition, the program -- which is designed to nurture and engage leadership skills through community immersion, leadership training and educating participants on "how things work'' in the local community -- will use resources through various Tampa Bay area-based businesses for additional funds via in-kind donations of consulting, supplies and equipment.
"Leadership Sarasota's Class of 2013 came to choose the
Michael Biehl Park project after thorough consideration'' says Bridget McGrath, a member of Leadership Sarasota. "We all felt that this park and location had immense potential to enhance downtown Venice and, with the resources we have through our class and the local community, knew this project would be a success.''
The project plans to brighten the park with lighting and landscaping, add picnic tables and bike racks and enhance the overall design of the park; an existing mural will be embellished with new lighting.
"Currently, the landscape is pretty drab and lacks color; we intend to change that,'' McGrath says. "We feel that this park is a main focal point when you enter
historic downtown Venice and will be helping the continued revitalization of the downtown area.''
An unveiling and community barbecue will be held at the park on April 21st, celebrating the new and improved Michael Biehl Park. Until then, Leadership Sarasota has plans to put in more than five scheduled work days where the class in its entirety will be putting in work to see the project through.
"Leadership Sarasota's class of 2013 is full of solid talent and great charisma with a strong desire to give back to our beautiful community that we are so fortunate to call home.''
Writer:
Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Bridget McGrath,
Leadership Sarasota
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