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Hello Everyone,
It’s official! Karie Friling will be our next City Manager. The City Commission unanimously approved an employment agreement with her at our March 23rd meeting, and I was honored to sign it later that week.
Karie distinguished herself during our national search. She is a professional government manager with extensive experience. Although she is clearly knowledgeable in a range of municipal functions, it was her approachability and emphasis on listening that set her apart from the other candidates for the position. While Karie winds down her current position as the Executive Director of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, IL, she is in contact with our team at City Hall, including Interim City Manager Jennifer Jorgensen and City Attorney Joe Polzak, who are helping her get up to speed on our priorities and the initiatives currently underway.
Karie’s first official day on the job is May 29, but don’t be surprised if you see her around town before then as she begins the relocation process. We can’t wait to welcome Karie to Sarasota!
Mayor Trice leading a tour through The Bay on "Take a Walk in the Park Day".
Earlier this week, I recognized “National Take a Walk in the Park Day” by leading a tour around The Bay Park. We strolled from The Nest to Sarasota Bay, wound through the Mangrove Bayou Walkway, around the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, past the new day docks, along the new promenade, and concluded at the historic Chidsey Library which now houses the offices of The Bay Park Conservancy. The Conservancy is in the midst of rehabilitating the historic buildings along this stretch of US 41; the Municipal Auditorium is next. Work on a new gathering place — a Town Square — between the Municipal Auditorium and Art Center Sarasota is already underway.
The Bay Park is a gem! And it was a special pleasure to enjoy the fresh air and experience this remarkable public space with community members interested in learning more about it and our city. A big thank you to Diana Shaheen, Chief Operating Officer with the Bay Park Conservancy, for organizing the event and sharing details about the current Phase 2 construction including the resilient shoreline, Cultural District and Canal District. Thank you to all who walked, talked and learned with me!
Don't forget: Join us for the Spring Fling on Saturday, April 4! This City co-sponsored special event kicks off at 11 a.m. with a festive strolling procession at Dr. MLK Jr. Way and N. Osprey Avenue followed by an afternoon of fun, food and family-friendly activities.
Happy Passover and Happy Easter! Have a wonderful weekend, Sarasota.
 Debbie Trice
Mayor
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The public is invited to join us on Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. in the Keating Marine Education Center, 1599 Ken Thompson Parkway, for the second St. Armands Visioning community meeting.
The first St. Armands Visioning meeting was a resounding success, with residents, business owners, and community leaders coming together to give input, share ideas, and discuss their vision for the future of the iconic St. Armands Circle.
The City has engaged independent facilitator Dr. David Brain to guide this visioning effort. The April workshop will begin with a brief introduction from Dr. Brain followed by a summary of the responses from the February workshop and additional details about ongoing and future projects.
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The City proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Alderman MURT (Multi-Use Recreational Trail) connecting to The Legacy Trail this week.
At just over 0.2 miles, the new east-west trail extension is a short but important point of connectivity. With the new connector, you can safely travel between neighborhoods and downtown – and approximately 20 miles to Venice via The Legacy Trail.
Vice Mayor Ohlrich led the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, the community and the City's Transportation Planning team -- all in celebration of the new path and amenities, which include a shaded rest area with a drinking fountain, benches and tables, a bike repair station, and enhanced landscaping. After the ceremony, participants enjoyed a guided bike ride, “Cycle Celebration,” which offered a chance to explore the new improvements and the trails beyond.
The trail extension was funded with a $400,000 grant through the Recreational Trails Program, a federal initiative funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered at the state level by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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Heads up – the Southwest Florida Water Management District voted last week to declare a Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage due to ongoing drought conditions.
For residents in the district, including the City of Sarasota, this means that effective April 3 outdoor watering must be limited to one day per week, with watering hours reduced to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
In addition to abiding by outdoor watering guidelines, residents are asked to conserve water wherever possible.
For more information on what SWFWMD’s guidelines mean for you, visit WaterMatters.org.
Through a partnership between the City and Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, Inc., five first-time, low-income homebuyers moved into their new homes within walking distance to Avion Park.
The City’s Office of Housing and Community Development provided $500,000 in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funding for the acquisition of the lots, and over $800,000 in Federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding to make the new affordable houses possible.
Vice Mayor Ohlrich and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch joined the new homeowners and their families to celebrate the successful completion of this affordable housing initiative.
Congratulations to the residents as they begin this exciting new chapter as homeowners!
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The Sarasota Police Department is excited to invite the community to its upcoming Spring Fest on Tuesday, April 14.
This free, family-friendly event is designed to bring neighbors and agency members together for an evening of fun and connection.
Spring Fest is all about building relationships in a relaxed and welcoming environment. If you’re new to the area or a long-time resident, this event offers a great opportunity to meet the officers who serve our city and learn more about the agency in a positive, interactive setting.
Guests can enjoy a variety of activities for all ages including free food, live music, a junior SWAT obstacle course, face painting and much more. Guests will be able to meet police officers, go inside police cars, tour emergency vehicles and visit the agency’s mobile command center. This will give attendees a closer look at the tools SPD uses every day to keep the City of Sarasota safe.
Events like Spring Fest play an important role in strengthening trust and community between law enforcement and the community. By creating space for casual conversations and shared experiences, the Sarasota Police Department continues its commitment to community-oriented policing.
Families, friends and neighbors are encouraged to attend and enjoy an evening filled with fun, learning and community spirit.
Event Details:
Tuesday, April 14
5:30 – 8 p.m.
SPD Headquarters: 2099 Adams Lane
Bring your family, invite your neighbors and celebrate spring with the Sarasota Police Department.
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Earth Day is coming up soon and the City is celebrating in part by giving away 200 free trees to residents!
City of Sarasota residents can join us Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Bay to participate in this highly anticipated giveaway.
You'll have the opportunity to select one of 200 trees on a first-come, first-served basis, choosing between 10 different Florida-friendly species:
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live oak
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orange geiger
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southern magnolia
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royal palm
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crape myrtle
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green buttonwood
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winged elm
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sycamore
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Hass avocado
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mango
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Please note: Participation is limited to City of Sarasota residents only. Proof of residency will be required. A valid Florida driver license, ID card, or City utility bill with a City address will be accepted.
In addition to receiving a free tree, starting at 11 a.m. attendees can visit The Nest, where Sustainability and Resilience Manager Alia Garrett will be on hand to discuss this year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet". At noon, City Commissioner Ahearn-Koch will join the tabling event to talk about the important sustainability initiatives currently underway and planned within the city. You’ll also be able to explore the City’s sustainability efforts and enjoy interactive activities designed for all ages.
We hope to see you there!
Residents are invited to help shape the future of public art at the corner of Gulfstream and Cocoanut avenues.
As staff begins planning the next artwork for this location, the public’s ideas are an important part of the process.
The previous sculpture, Mr. Red by the late David Langley, was removed after Hurricane Milton caused significant damage. Because the piece has been repeatedly affected by storms and its materials aren’t well‑suited to coastal conditions, Mr. Red cannot be returned to the site and has instead been relocated to the north side of City Hall.
The Public Art Program is looking for replacement ideas that can stand up to coastal weather challenges, compliment the location, and are easily visible to drivers and pedestrians alike.
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Our first Shred Stock event accepting electronics was a tremendous success!
Like past editions, the biannual drive‑through event helped residents safely shred sensitive documents and featured live '60s tunes by The Garbage‑Men.
By the numbers:
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252 vehicles went through the line at the Van Wezel Performing Arts parking lot to recycle electronics and shred documents
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3,364 lbs. of electronics were collected for recycling
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5 tons of personal documents were shred and recycled
Five tons of shredded documents roughly translates to 85 trees saved, according to EPA estimates. By safely disposing of sensitive documents and outdated electronics, residents helped protect the environment and protect against fraud.
The next Shred Stock for City of Sarasota residents will be held Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking lot. Stay tuned for more details!
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The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is back again this season with its newly announced 2026–27 Broadway lineup, “A Season Fit For A Queen.”
From December 2026 through April 2027, this standout season celebrates bold, female-driven stories with hit productions like Six, Mamma Mia!, Waitress, and Legally Blonde – The Musical, along with more fan favorites and fresh titles taking the stage. With 10 national and international productions in the lineup—and more to come—it’s a season that takes center stage in a big way.
Subscriptions are available now, so secure your seats early at VanWezel.org/subscriptions.
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Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex is kicking off spring with fun for the whole family!
Mark your calendar for Movie in the Park! On Friday, April 10 the family-friendly comedy Hop will be shown. Concessions open at 7 p.m. with the movie starting at 7:45 p.m. Bring blankets, settle in under the stars, and enjoy a family friendly night out.
In case you haven’t explored Arlington Park's newest offerings, check out Messy Art on Mondays and Sports Sampler on Fridays. A community favorite, Tot Time, continues every Wednesday—bring the kids and let the Arlington team handle the cleanup!
Registration is now open for Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex Summer Camp, featuring eight one-week themed sessions packed with adventure, crafts, games, swimming, nature exploration, educational activities, and a weekly off-site field trip.
Space is limited and filling quickly, so early registration is recommended.
Visit Arlington Park this spring and discover new programs, incredible amenities, and plenty of ways to play and connect!
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Are you or someone you know interested? Visit Sarasotafl.gov to apply online and see other employment opportunities with the City of Sarasota.
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Monday, April 6 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Wednesday, April 8 | 1: 30 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
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"Sarasota Scene"
Norm Schimmel
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