Nathan Benderson Park Receives Award from APA
The transformation of Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota County, Florida, has earned the park an Award of Merit in the Planning Project category from both the American Planning Association County Planning Division and the National Association of County Planners. Once an unimproved borrow pit lake used by local fishermen, the 600-acre park has been reimagined as a regional park with a world-class rowing venue that can attract international visitors while still serving the local community.
The park’s revitalization has been a significant success story for Sarasota County, and the awards recognize the collaboration and planning involved in the project’s development. The park’s redevelopment included infrastructure improvements, public-private partnerships, and careful consideration of environmental concerns. TSW, a planning and landscape architecture firm, played a role in the project’s success by providing master planning, design, and construction administration services.
Nathan Benderson Park’s transformation began in 2008, with a master plan that outlined its redevelopment into a world-class rowing venue. Since then, the park has become a premier destination for rowing competitions, including the 2017 World Rowing Championships. The park also offers amenities for local residents, such as a playground, picnic areas, and walking and biking trails.
Overall, the park’s redevelopment is a testament to the power of planning, collaboration, and careful consideration of community needs and environmental concerns. The awards from the American Planning Association County Planning Division and the National Association of County Planners recognize the park’s success and its potential to serve as a model for similar projects in the future.
TSW’s Landscape Architecture Studio developed the overall master plan for the park and helped coordinate visioning graphics.
Nathan Benderson Park Receives Award from APA
