Oscar Scherer State Park

Oscar Scherer State Park is a 1,384-acre sanctuary for native plants and animals

This is located south of Sarasota and north of Venice, in historic Osprey, Florida. These pine flatwoods and scrubby flatwoods are populated with the threatened Florida scrub jays, bald eagles, bobcats, tortoises and huge indigo snakes. Oscar Scherer State Park also features South Creek, a backwater stream fed by rainfall, which connects to Dryman Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The creek's surrounding hardwood hammock is home to many water birds as well as river otters and alligators, rabbits and foxes. Native plants abound, including blueberry, persimmon, wild grape, cabbage palm, coontie (an Indian name the indians had for this plant, it means flour root), wax myrtle and prickly pear cactuses.

The original 462 acres were donated to the state of Florida in 1955 by Elsa Scherer Burrows in memory of her father, Oscar Scherer, an inventor who developed a process for dyeing leather for shoes in 1872. In 1991 another 922 acres were purchased as part of Florida's Preservation 2000 initiative.

Visitors may enjoy hiking trails that total 15 miles. There is a 3 acre freshwater lake that contains bream, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish.  A fishing license is required for anyone over 15 and can be purchased at most bait and tackle shops or at the Sarasota County Tax Collector's office just up the road across from Sarasota Square Mall about 4 miles north. Both fresh and saltwater fishing are possible in South Creek, canoeing and camping. Mountain bikes are recommended due to the sandy nature of many of the trails. Oscar Scherer is also a full camping facility with seasonal rates that are lower June - October. Tent and RV campsites are available with complete hook-ups for electric and water. Each of the five bathhouses in the campgrounds are equipped with restrooms and hot water showers and are reserved for registered campers only. The showers are available for non-campers for an extra fee. 

The Park also features an award-winning "barrier free" nature trail which accommodates "people of all abilities", including the sightless. Built by the Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc., this trail is dedicated to Lester Finley, a sightless park volunteer who lost his life to a hit-and-run driver. Oscar Scherer State Park is operated by the Florida Park Service and is open 365 days a year, from 8 a.m. until sundown.

For more information, contact Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229; (941) 483-5956.

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