Invasive plants removed from Ted Sperling Park

Thanks to a $75,000 grant from the U.S. Forest Service, Sarasota County has removed invasive plants and replaced them with native varieties at Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach and North Jetty Park.

The county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department is receiving the funding through the agency’s Urban and Community Forestry – Plantings, Preservation and Invasive Control grant program.

“It is with gratitude to USFS that Sarasota County was awarded funds to help further the county’s commitment to invasive plant management on county-managed lands and especially within parks,” said Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Nicole Rissler in a news release,

The funding supplemented the routine invasive plant management operations to remove mature Australian Pines from the area, adding open and green spaces for park users.

In addition, more than 32 native trees were planted, including Florida Slash Pine, Green Buttonwood, Gumbo Limbo and Seagrape trees. The expectation is these trees will help mitigate stormwater runoff, protect the fragile coastline and provide shade for park guests.