A portion of downtown Sarasota’s Bayfront Park is fenced off and several trees have been removed, drawing attention from visitors and locals who frequent one of the city’s most iconic green spaces and sunset-viewing destinations.
A large black construction fence now borders the waterfront area behind the Unconditional Surrender statue — the larger-than-life kissing couple sculpture and one of Sarasota’s most photographed landmarks — and wraps toward the entrance of Marina Jack to the north and O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill to the south.
The trees that lined the walkway provided shade to passersby, especially those walking back and forth to the popular dining and drinking destinations Marina Jack and O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill.
The City of Sarasota confirmed Wednesday, June 3, that the work is connected to a seawall maintenance project.
Jan Thornburg, spokesperson for the city, told the Herald-Tribune that the tree removal is part of that effort but could not offer additional details at the time of publication. A contractor on site said the project had been underway for approximately one week.
Bayfront Park sits along Sarasota Bay in the heart of downtown, serving as a popular gathering spot for residents and tourists year-round. The timeline for the project and the full scope of the seawall work were not immediately available.
While the waterfront area around the Unconditional Surrender statue is fenced off, Marina Jack and its multiple restaurants remain open and accessible from both Bayfront Drive and by boat.
Marina Jack’s sister business, O’Leary’s, also remains open, as do the adjacent playground and splash pad, which were recently renovated and remain beloved free attractions.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Why trees are disappearing at Sarasota Bayfront Park
Reporting by Samantha Gholar, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Samantha Gholar, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
