scherer thaxton preserve

The signage could be improved - we drove right by and then noticed a small sign leading into the preserve. We walked the fitness trail and found most of it overgrown with tall grass. In one area we found the "number" on a post with arrows each pointing a different direction. The front of the marker had an arrow pointing one way but if we looked beside the pole, we found an arrow pointing another direction. It might be a good idea to keep the grasses trimmed back along the trail.Other than being snagged by burrs and seeds, it was a good walk. Benches along the trail so one could sit and watch the butterflies or sit close to the water and watch the large mouth bass.

We visiting this new park when it first opened and it is nice, but needs improvements and with time hopefully they will come. First, if coming from Venice and you travel SR 681, you have to do an illegal u-turn to get to the park because the turn-off is north of 681, use caution, because of traffic coming off I75 is coming at high rate of speed. This will eventually be rectified when the Honore extension is completed coming from Laurel Rd. The park has no restrooms and there were no trash bins along the walkway around the lake. You could kayak in the lake, but the boat launch is not gradual, so you will be standing in ankle to mid-calf deep water launching your kayak. There is a nice picnic table at the launch area. Bring plenty of water if you plan to walk the loop around the park. The park is tranquil and it will be a nice addition to the County Park System.

This is a new addition to the Sarasota County Parks system, opening in early May. We arrived to do a walk around the large lake, but were surprised that the crushed shell walk-way does not go entirely around the lake. We had to cut across some grass, which could get wet with rainy season approaching. After about a 20 min walk, you end up at a dead end, we cut through a spot in the fence and reached the sidewalk along Honore Ave and walked back to the parking area. On the walk around the lake, there are a few lake views, not many. There are benches along the way. At the entrance there are a couple picnic tables and a canoe/kayak launch. You'll be in about mid-calf water to launch you kayak. There are no garbage cans, so bring a bag to take any trash out and was surprised with the park being open only a couple weeks, there was trash about. Bring water, especially this summer. It gets hot quick! This will be a lovely addition to Sarasota County Parks.