Invasive Plant Removal Party Planned at N. Water Tower Park Oct. 19

The City of Sarasota will partner with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and community residents to host an Air Potato Round-up Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. – noon at North Water Tower Park, 4700 Rilma Avenue.  Volunteers interested in cleaning up our community park, home to one of the most popular disc golf courses in Florida, are encouraged to come out for a fun morning of camaraderie as we remove air potato plants, an invasive vine.  Prizes will be awarded for the smallest, biggest, oddest-looking and most air potatoes collected.

The air potato covers and shades beneficial native plants.  The vine grows a large tuber which looks similar to a hanging potato.

The Air Potato Round-up is part of a proposed North Water Tower Park Master Plan within the City Commission’s newly adopted Fiscal Year 2014-2016 Strategic Plan.  The goal is to improve park access for residents in the nearby Bayou Oaks Neighborhood, plus heighten natural surveillance within the park using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).  

Over the next year, staff with the newly created Urban Design Studio will conduct an analysis of the properties adjacent to the park and will work with neighborhoods and property owners to develop concepts that will ultimately be codified to create a more walkable community as part of the form-based code initiative.

“Because form-based zoning codes are community based, and focus on physical form, high quality public spaces and character of place, the Urban Design Studio will be working alongside the community on transformational neighborhood initiatives, and participating in local events so that the designers can meet residents and understand issues at a grassroots level,” said Karin Murphy, Urban Design Studio director.

The Air Potato Round-up is a way to remove unwanted plants in North Water Tower Park while simultaneously sparking community interest in the park and ultimately reducing criminal activity. 

The event is suitable for all ages.  Participants must wear closed-toed shoes (old tennis shoes work great) and preferably long-sleeved shirts and pants.  Please wear hat, sunscreen, clothes that can get dirty and work gloves.  Also, please bring a reusable water bottle, if you have one, to reduce our plastic pollution.  Carpool if you can.

Sarasota Bay Guardians shirts will be available for all volunteers.  If you already have one, please wear your shirt to the event.

Lunch will be provided for all volunteers after the air potatoes are removed.

For lunch and t-shirt, registration is required.  Click here to register.

SBEP and the City of Sarasota are partnering with Around the Bend Nature Tours, Bayou Oaks Neighborhood Association, Crossroad Methodist Church, North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, Sarasota Sky Pilots and other area neighborhood and businesses.

For more information about the Air Potato Round-up call 941-955-8085 or email info@sarasotabay.org or Karen@aroundbend.com

To learn more about the Urban Design Studio and form-based code contact Karin Murphy:  365-2200 ext. 3764.