Sarasota County Earns State Sports Tourism Award

From Sarasota County:

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL - Sarasota County's Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department recently earned the Excellence in Sports Tourism Award at the Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Annual Conference in Orlando.

The award, which was presented by the Florida Sports Foundation (FSF), recognizes the unparalleled contributions of Florida's county and municipal parks & recreation departments to sport tourism.

"This is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of many county staff members, as well as the efforts of our partners and Visit Sarasota County," said Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director Carolyn Brown. "We strive everyday to create lasting, and memorable experiences at our parks. And this award further highlights our efforts to be the premier community where people choose to live, work, and play."

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department hosted 79 sporting events in its facilities in 2015, bringing in a direct economic impact of more than $33 million to the community. The department continues to work in partnership with the Sarasota County Sports Commission, attract events and host all levels of sport events, thus earning the 2016 Excellence in Sport Tourism Award for the Mid to Large Market category.

There are over 150 parks as part of Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department. Many of those facilities, including the recently renovated BMX track at the Youth Athletic Complex, Siesta Key Beach, and Nathan Benderson Park, attract sports competitors from around nation and the world. Nathan Benderson Park also recently received the FSF Venue of the Year Award.

"The Florida Recreation and Park Association is pleased to partner with the Florida Sports Foundation to recognize the work of parks and recreation agencies who take pride in managing facilities and fields used to attract sports tourism to their communities and our state," said Eleanor Warmack, executive director of the FRPA. "Their commitment to maintaining exceptional public spaces that are attractive to sports enthusiasts is a priority for these professionals and parks and recreation agencies across the state."

For more information call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, or visit www.scgov.net.

Photo via Sarasota County: From left: Rob Wells, Sarasota Sports Commission; Carolyn Brown, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department Director; Ashley Edwards, City of Tallahassee Parks and Recreation; Stephen Rodriguez, Florida Sports Foundation.