County Decides on Sign for Nation's #1 Beach

Just before Memorial Day, the director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research declared

“The sand is like sugar,” said Stephen Leatherman, known as “Dr. Beach” for his annual rankings.

It’s an award Siesta can only win once. After getting a numero-uno nod from Leatherman, the beach is honorably retired from the competition. It’s glory lasts only 12 months.

Eight months after the nod, Sarasota County commissioners Wednesday decided on a design for a sign to place on the beach. It’s designed to be a “photo op” for beach-goers to pose next to.

“It would be nice to get these up very quickly,” Commissioner Joe Barbetta said. “We got rated number one a few months ago.”

It will be placed on the main pathway between the parking lot and the beach through the concession area. The motif is a retro-style postcard designed by Kate Harrison, a county communications staffer.  

The $1,300 cost will be paid by the Sarasota Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. Harrison says, with the final decision made, it will take about four weeks to produce and install the sign.