Ted Sperling Park (on Lido Key)

Ted Sperling Park (link) on the southern tip of Lido Key includes a large beach (without lifeguards), a nature trail, and vendors that rent kayaks and give tours. Lately, it has become a weekend party destination that many residents feel has gotten out of control. It is within the City of Sarasota city limits, but it is owned and operated by Sarasota County (sc-pa.com link).

May 8, 2024

Observer article: Lido residents concerned about increased activity at Ted Sperling Park

June 6, 2024

Sarasota News Leader article: Having heard multitude of complaints about Nokomis and Lido Key parks, County Commission calls for staff report on county ‘hot spots’ for illegal activities

June 17, 2024

Excerpt from email from Lido Key resident to City Commissioners:

I want to bring your attention to the growing problems we are facing here on Lido Key and the response we are receiving from the local police which here in Lido Key is inadequate. I want to share the incidents that have happened over the past couple of weekends here on Lido Key.
Over the past several weekends cars have been coming from Ted Sperling Park in the late evenings playing loud music with loud mufflers parking their vehicles illegally at residential buildings and causing a nuisance.
A police officer had to stop by our building (a minor issue) and chatted with our building manager, Dave. Dave mentioned that over the Memorial Day weekend, the beach in front of our building got quite congested, more like the July 4th boat race weekend. There were people with grills (which are not allowed there), playing loud music, etc. The officer replied that at any given time, there is only one officer here, covering Lido Key, St Armands, Lido Shores, and Bird Key, which is not enough. He also said that we were likely getting spillover from S Lido (Ted Sperling) Park, where the police are getting stricter. The officer said residents should write to the City Commissioners, requesting more police presence, especially on busy weekends.

March 24, 2025

From: Mark Smith (Sarasota County Commissioner)

RE: Board of County Commissioners - March 26th Meeting - Ted Sterling Park

I will be requesting the Board of County Commissioners direct staff to draft language prohibiting watercraft access to Ted Sperling Park at the Wednesday, March 26th hearing to be presented to the BCC for a vote at a later meeting. The language proposed would what is already on the books the prohibit watercraft access at the other Sarasota County public beaches.

St. Armands Residents Association

P.O. Box 2482, Sarasota, FL 34230

e-mail us at: st.armands.residents.assn@gmail.com