Welcome to our Exclusive Venice Area Profile

We have compiled this commuinty profile and are currently in the process of uploading it to bring you everything that you need to know about our wonderful area, please feel free to contact  us with any other questions or comments.

 

Relocating to Venice

Explore Historic Main Street District

Savor Venice's Shopping and Dining

Sample our Beaches

Hurricanes

Parks

Golf, Tennis, Bowling and more....

Festivals, Fairs and Parades

 

 

 

Relocating to Venice

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     People relocating to the Venice area are discovering the small-town    ambiance in our ever-growing community.  Residential architecture styles range from historic northern Italian to modern Florida ranch.  From gulf front to canal front, to golf course views to acreage, Venice has it all.

     The City of Venice is located in Southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, about 12 miles south of Sarasota, in Sarasota County, on 11.48 square miles.

• In 1925, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers purchased the land that was to become the city and engaged famous city planner John Nolen and architectural engineer Prentiss French to design a town reminiscent of its Italian namesake. 
• Venice was incorporated as a town.  Building began in earnest in 1926 and the first town council was selected. 
• On May 9, 1927, Venice was incorporated as a city and formed the police and fire departments.
•  Venice became known as the City on the Gulf  because it is one of the few   cities on the west coast of Florida that occupies a coastal area with no barrier island.
• What we now refer to as the “island” was created in 1967 when the Army Corps of Engineers completed the Intercoastal Waterway through the city.
• Although 80,000 people claim Venice on their return address, less than 19,000 live in the city proper year around, and about 24,000 during the winter months.
• Come to Venice and you’ll feel like you’ve come home — even if it’s the home you’ve only dreamed of — where you feel safe and everybody’s friendly.

     In Venice, you’ll find that you relax in a way you haven’t since you were a kid.  Time slows down and worries slip away.   

 

Relax on one of our five uncrowded beaches and search for fossilized sharks’ teeth.  Indulge in the decadently warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Or, if you’re the adventurous sort, take advantage of some of the best boating in the area or go surfing at the Jetties.

 

 

     The opportunities to relax in Venice abound on land as well as by the sea.  Venice boasts many outstanding golf courses and a dozen public parks.  While you’re here, discover Venice’s distinctive bland of small-town charm and natural wonders.  Venice’s historic Main Street district is filled with gorgeous Mediterranean Revival and Northern Italian architecture, charming gift shops and boutiques, quaint antique stores, and great restaurants and coffeehouses.  Interested in a little more exploration?  Take a walking or biking tour of the Venezia Park district.  Visit the Venice   Archives and Historical Museum on Nassau Street for a wonderful overview of  Venice’s past.

     Venice has attracted its share of the wealthy and sophisticated.
Ninety years ago, Bertha Palmer, an international socialite, came to the area and built extensive gardens on the waterfront winter estate, Osprey Point, which is today’s 30-acre Historic Spanish Point.  Historic Spanish Point has been inhabited for over 5,000 years, first by early, native Floridians and later by pioneer homesteaders.  Historic Spanish Point features one of the most well-preserved prehistoric Indian village sites in Florida.  It’s the only place in the nation where you can actually enter a prehistoric shell mound.  Historic Spanish Point offers a sample of pioneer life with restored turn-of-the-century buildings such as Mary’s Chapel, The Guptill House, and the Citrus Packing House.
      When Mrs. Palmer purchased the land, she designed elaborate gardens while also preserving the pioneer dwellings and prehistoric Indian remains.  Today, visitors can see how these earlier residents lived as well as tour Mrs. Palmer’s lovely grounds.
In the mood for a hands-on artistic experience?  Visit the Venice Art Center on Nokomis Avenue.  Arts and crafts classes, art history lectures, and rotating exhibits of local artists’ work are offered continuously throughout the year.  Vacationing families can find plenty to do as well.  Take the kids to the skate park near the Venice Arena.  Or take them fishing on the pier while you relax and have a tropical drink under the coconut palms at the tiki bar.

 In the mood for a hands-on artistic experience?  Visit the Venice Art Center on Nokomis Avenue.  Arts and crafts classes, art history lectures, and rotating exhibits of local artists’ work are offered continuously throughout the year. 

Walkers and rollerbladers will love the Venetian Waterway Park.  Well-lit and beautifully landscaped, the Venetian Waterway Park is a 9.1 mile sidewalk trail along the Intercoastal Waterway.  A second segment of the trail is along Caspersen Beach. 

Nature lovers can enjoy the birdwatching in Oscar Scherer State Park and go canoeing down the Myakka River.  Venice’s Caspersen Beach is also known as the favored nesting spot for a variety of sea turtles.
The fun doesn’t end after a glorious sunset over the Gulf of  Mexico.  Venice features live theatre, film, events, and local symphony.  The Venice Little Theatre is a perennial   favorite among playgoers.  Do you love classical music or the pops?  Take in a performance by the Venice Symphony.

There are so many facets to Venice to explore and enjoy, you’ll look forward to exploring it all.

      Vacationing families can find plenty to do as well.  Take the kids to the skate park near the Venice Arena. 

Or take them fishing on the pier while you relax and have a tropical drink under the coconut palms at the tiki bar.
Walkers and rollerbladers will love the Venetian  Waterway Park.  Well-lit and beautifully landscaped, the Venetian Waterway Park is a 9.1 mile sidewalk trail along the Intercoastal Waterway.  A second segment of the trail is along Caspersen Beach.  Nature lovers can enjoy the birdwatching in Oscar Scherer State Park and go canoeing down the Myakka River.  Venice’s
Caspersen Beach is also known as the favored nesting spot for a variety of sea turtles.   The fun doesn’t end after a  glorious sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.  Venice features live theatre, film, events, and local symphony. 

The Venice Little Theatre is a perennial   favorite among playgoers.  Do you love classical music or the pops?  Take in a performance by the Venice Symphony.
There are so many facets to Venice to explore and enjoy, you’ll look forward to exploring it all.

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Explore Historic MainStreet District

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     Explore Our Historic Main Street District, One of only three cities in Florida designed in the 1920’s by world-renowned planner, John Nolen, Click here for an enlarged look at the original plan shown to the right.  Venice is best known for its charming downtown business district.  But it is also known for its lovely, residential areas.
Take a relaxing drive down West Venice Avenue and you will be enticed by the soothing shade of massive banyans and live oaks draped with Spanish moss.  Visitors fall in love with the stately Mediterranean Revival style houses that line the avenue.  Look for the beautiful wrought iron door and window detail, the lovely archways, and the mysterious, shady courtyards. 

When you reach the gleaming Gulf of Mexico, you’ve reached the end of  Venice Avenue.
If you can resist the pull of the Gulf and Venice Beach, loop back up Venice Avenue and turn right onto Nassau Street and go to the Triangle Inn, which houses the Venice Archives & Area Historical Collection.  There you’ll find a gallery of   photos of historic Venice as well as tour maps and helpful volunteers.
You’ll want to explore the Venezia Park district, which was the home of    Venice’s wealthiest residents in the late 1920’s.
Many of these Mediterranean Revival style homes are two-story houses with large fireplaces and chimneys, red clay barrel tile roofs, small windows, and large, arched ceilings.  Start at Nokomis Avenue near the Venice Art Center and make your way down Palermo Place, Sorrento, Salerno, and Nassau Streets, as well as South Harbor Drive.
Among Venice’s historic landmarks are the Venice Hotel at 200 Nassau Street, which is now a retirement home called Park Place, and the El Patio Hotel at 229 West Venice Avenue.

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Savor Venice’s Shopping and Dining

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     Spend a day shopping on palm tree lined avenues, full of fine specialty shops and unique services in a pleasant downtown setting.  An  historical treasure, Venice is a Florida MainStreet City, graced by northern Italian architecture and beautifully landscaped boulevards dating back to the original city plans of 1925.  Many fine shipping, art and antiques can be found both north and south of downtown Venice.
Shopping should be about relaxing.  It’s about puttering around in adorable little gift shops, moving at your own speed, and savoring the world around you.
If this is your philosophy, you’ll be right at home in Venice.
You’ll want to start with our charming, palm-lied, historic MainStreet shopping district, called “the Island Avenues”, where there are over 150 shops in an area from Tampa Avenue southward to Palermo Place, and extending west to the Gulf of Mexico.
A Florida MainStreet City since 1988, Venice has encouraged this charming business district by enticing a wide variety of shops, boutiques and eateries to open here.
Stroll down the Avenues and you’ll find shops with exquisite Christmas ornaments, whimsical home accessories, exotic imports, lovely antiques, and every type of gift from shells and beach souvenirs to gourmet foods and gadgets.  You’ll also find every kind of clothing imaginable, from beach wear to evening wear.
The Island Avenues also offer a wide variety of places to eat.  Whether you’re interested in American, Continental, French, Chinese or Italian, you will find it all within a several-block area.
Travel a short distance down Business 41 and By-Pass 41, and you’ll also find great shops in Bird Bay Plaza,, the Brickyard, Venice Isles Plaza, Venice Marketplace, Jacaranda Plaza, Pinebrook Plaza, and the Venetian Plaza Shopping Center, to name just a few.
South Venice offers one of the largest shopping areas with an array of    popular stores at the Venice Village Shoppes.
There are also great restaurants throughout the Venice area, including those with waterfront and Gulf-front views.

 

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Sample Our Beaches

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The soft white sands of the Gulf of Mexico form fourteen miles of beaches.  Recreational activities include swimming, sunbathing, surfing, hunting for shells and fossilized shark teeth, fishing, boating and picnicking.
We have five major public beaches with parking, dressing rooms, showers and restrooms.   Each one is fabulous and each one is different.  Are you a nature lover or Sharks’ tooth hunter?  Caspersen Beach is for you.  If surfing is your thing, go to the North Jetty Beach.  Venice Beach is a favorite starting point for reef divers.  It’s also an easy stroll from Venice Beach into downtown for an ice cream cone or lunch.
Because all of our beaches are precious, we do ask you to help us protect them and their natural vegetation by using the wooden walkovers whenever  possible.
How many grains of sand in the beach?  A lot more than we had in 1996 when the city embarked on a federally funded nourishment project.  The program added 250 feet of sand to the stretch of beach from the Jetties to Caspersen Beach, with the intention of having 150 feet left after the first several storms came through.
What do the flags mean?
            RED:           danger, don’t go into the water
            YELLOW:   use caution, hazardous marine life
            GREEN:       another beautiful day in Paradise!

Protect the Sea Turtles.  Nest, hatchlings and adult sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act.
Turtle nesting season is from May 1—October 31.  During that time, sea turtles make their way to the beaches of Southwest Florida to lay nests of as many as 180 leathery ping-pong ball-sized eggs.
During the nesting season, county and city ordinances forbid the use of artificial lights, including flashlights, along the beach because they tend to disorient the hatchlings as they try to make their way back to sea.
One out of every 2,500 hatchlings survives to adulthood.  Five species of sea turtles inhabit the Gulf of Mexico:  loggerhead, green, hawksbill, leatherback and Kemp’s Ridley.

According to Mote Marine, during the 2002 season, 184 nests were documented on Venice beaches.  There were 215 false crawls—when a turtle emerges on land but does not nest.  More than 11,000 hatchlings were produced for nearly 70 percent success rate for the year.
If you see a sea turtle or hatchling in danger, call the Florida Marine Patrol at 800-342-5367 or Mote Marine Sea Turtle program at 941-388-4331 or the Venice Police Department at 941-486-2444.
If you see lights shining on the beach during nesting season, contact the   Engineering Department at 941-486-2626.
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What is Florida red tide?  A red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organisms).  In Florida, the species that cause most red tides is Karenia brevis (K. brevis).  This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish.  At high concentrations (called a bloom), the organisms may discolor the water.  However, red tides are not always red.  They can appear greenish, brownish and even purple in color.  Or, the water can remain its normal color.
Do red tides occur anywhere else?  Yes.  Although the organism that causes Florida’s red tide is found almost exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico, blooms have been found off the east coast of Florida, and a bloom was detected off the coast of North Carolina in 1987.  Scientists believe the Florida Current and Gulf Stream Current carried K. brevis out of the Gulf of Mexico, around south Florida, and up to the Carolina coast.  Other types of micro-organisms cause different kinds of red tides (now called harmful algal blooms or HABs)  in other parts of the world as well.  HABs occur in both saltwater and freshwater.
How long does red tide typically last?  It can last days, weeks, months and it can change daily due to wind conditions.  Thus, contact your local area for accurate and current conditions.
Is red tide a new phenomenon?  No.  The first official   reporting of red tide in Florida was in 1844.  Government officials documented discolored water and massive fish kills.

For red tide health information or questions call:  Marine and Freshwater    Hotline 1-888-232-8635.  To report red tide or fish kills, contact:  FMRI at          800-636-0511 or aquatichealth@fwc.state.fl.us ; For red tide updates, visit:  www.floridamarine.org ; www.redtideonline.com is provided as a service to Florida businesses by The Red Tide Alliance of the FWC-Florida Marine Research Institute, Mote Marine Laboratory and Solutions to Avoid Red Tide.

 NOT ALLOWED AT THE BEACH:
         * Alcoholic beverages
         * Dogs, except at Paw Park
         * Spear fishing within 200 feet of swimming areas
         * Operation of vehicles
         * Operation of boats, personal watercraft or other vessels inside the                                           buoyed swimming area    

 

The Nature Lovers’, Sharks’ Tooth Hunters’ Favorite - Caspersen Beach
 Pristine and secluded, Caspersen Beach is the nature lovers’ paradise.  The southern two-thirds of the beach has been left in its natural state, with freshwater and saltwater marshes, mangroves, and tidal flats all untouched.

 Located south of the Venice airport on Harbor Drive, Caspersen Beach is one of the best places to find fossilized sharks’ teeth.

Venice Beach — The Reef Divers’ Delight
 Reef divers love Venice Beach because of the reef lying only a quarter mile  offshore.  Venice Beach is another good place to find sharks’ teeth.  The entire west coast of Florida was underwater several times during its early history.  The shark, one of the longest surviving creatures on earth, sheds it teeth yearly.  There are  layers of prehistoric sharks’ teeth located on land and in water.  They often wash ashore at Venice Beach, making it a great place to hunt for these tiny trophies.  And, located at the west end of Venice Avenue, it’s a pleasant walk from downtown.

Surfers, Families, and Fishermen Seek North Jetty Beach
 Located on the tip of Casey Key, the jetties make North Jetty Beach one of the most exciting beaches on the west coast of Florida.
It is a very popular picnicking spot for families and large groups.  The fishing at North Jetty Beach is   reputed to be spectacular.

Have a Picnic, Let the Kids Play at Brohard Beach
Kids won’t be bored at Brohard Beach.  Service Club Park, which is adjacent to Brohard Beach, offers playground equipment and boardwalks with covered picnic  areas.  Also nearby is the U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla Training Center.
Located just north of Caspersen Beach on South Harbor Drive, south of the Municipal Pier, Brohard Beach hosts one of the county’s dog beaches.  Dogs love to swim, too.  Paw Park at Brohard Park is open from 7 AM—dusk.  Because of    environmental concerns, it is imperative that dog owners clean up after their dogs and keep them within the boundaries of the area designated for dogs.

Nokomis Beach — A Family Favorite
 Family-oriented and popular for fishing, Nokomis Beach is Sarasota County’s oldest public beach.  Located at the western end of Albee Road, Nokomis Beach also includes a boat launch ramp.

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HURRICANES

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Hurricane season in Southwest Florida is June 1 to November 30.     

Hurricanes are categorized by their wind velocities:
 >  Category 1: 74—95 mph winds; expect up to 7-foot tides; all mobile  home parks,  keys and other coastal areas at elevations of less than 7 feet above sea level must evacuate.  Damage is likely to be primarily to landscaping and mobile homes.

 >  Category 2: 96—110 mph winds; there may be up to 12-foot tides; all above noted  areas plus coastal areas at elevations of less than 12 feet above sea level must evacuate.   Expect some trees blown down and damage to signs, mobile homes, some roofing, windows  and doors of other buildings.

 >  Category 3: 111-130 mph winds; expect up to 14-foot tides; all above noted areas  plus coastal are at elevations of less than 14 feet must evacuate.   Same damage as  above, but with additional structural damage to small buildings.  Mobiles homes will probably  be destroyed.

 >  Category 4: 131-155 mph winds; expect up to 20-foot tides; all above noted areas  plus coastal are at less than 20 feet must evacuate.  Extensive  damage to roofing materials, windows and doors with complete failure of roofs on many small residences.

 >  Category 5: 156 mph or more winds; expect tides to be more than 20 feet; all  above named areas plus coastal areas at less than 21 feet must evacuate.  Extensive dam age to windows and doors, complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings.  Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors.  Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away.

(This information provided by the National Weather Center.)

Managing the Risks

Insurance statistics show there is a one percent chance over the course of a    30-year mortgage that a home could be flooded.  Property in Venice located along the low lying coastal regions is most vulnerable to flooding.  To learn if your property is located in a flood zone, call the Growth Management Department at 486-2626, Ext. 2052.  The zoning inspector can provide information regarding flood insurance rate maps.
Sarasota County’s Emergency Operations Center works with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center to monitor severe weather and advise the community accordingly.  The City of Venice participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which makes flood insurance available to everyone in the city.  Insurance for flood and wind damage are no longer included in standard homeowner insurance policies, but must be purchased separately through NFIP.  However, your local insurance agent can assist you with this purchase.
It is important to protect the integrity of the stormwater drainage system so that it is functional during severe weather.  A Venice city ordinance makes it illegal to obstruct ditches, swales or other drainage structures.  If you notice someone blocking a stormwater runoff structure, report it to the Engineering Office by calling 486-2626, Ext. 2061.
If you are not physically able to evacuate yourself form your home during an emergency or have special health conditions, register with Sarasota County   Special Needs by calling 361-6844.
Read the May edition of Venice City Newsletter, the city webside at www.venicegov.com or pick up a brochure at the Venice Police Department of City Hall for more detailed information.

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PARKS

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Parks Reflect the Character of the Community...Take Your Family to the Park!

The City of Venice has many beautiful parks and recreational areas. 
The following is a  list of parks and a brief description of the amenities each offers.

BROHARD PARK:  located on South Harbor Drive, offers beach access in a natural setting.  It features beach plantings and boardwalks with handicap accessibility.  Currently, the park is being expanded north of Venice Municipal Fishing  Pier where more parking, a beach pavilion and small festival grounds are being created.
CENTENNIAL PARK: located in the heart of the downtown area between West Venice Avenue and West Tampa    Avenue, includes the Gazebo where many entertainment events and meetings are held.
CHAUNCY HOWARD PARK: In the 800 block of  The Esplanade N., is a beach access park featuring a board    walk with wheelchair accessibility.
CHUCK REITER PARK: Located at  East Field Avenue and Fort Street, has four lit baseball fields, and is the home    of Venice Little League.  The 11-acre park also has a playground for small children.
EAST BLALOCK PARK: and the Venice Community Center are located on    Nokomis Avenue.  The 7-acre park     serves as a campus for the Venice Public Library, the Venice Art Center and the Venice Community    Center, which is  operated by  Sarasota County.  The triangle Inn, housing the Venice Archives and Area Historical Collection, is also located here.
EAST GATE PARK:  located on East Gate Drive on the east side of the city, is a neighborhood park with a playground.
HECKSHER PARK:  located on West Venice Avenue, features a children’s playground, six tennis courts, three basketball    courts and shuffleboard courts, all with lighting for night play.
HERITAGE PARK:  runs down the center of West Venice Avenue from Avenida des Parques to The Esplanade.  It has     historical displays, commemorative plaques, benches and a sidewalk.
HIGEL MARINE PARK: located at 1330 Tarpon Center Drive, has a picnic area and boat ramp.
HUMPHRIES PARK:  is located at the end of Tarpon Center Road at the South Jetty.  It is a natural area known    for fishing and surfing, and features Anita’s Sandcastle food vendor.  Also knows as South Jetty     Park, this area has picnic tables and a great view from the jetty.
JOHN NOLEN PARK: located at Menendez Street and Avenida des Parques, has handicap accessible playground    and picnic areas.
MARINA PARK:  located on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway, with access on the north side of East Venice   Avenue, offers a boat-launching ramp into the ICW.
MUNDY PARK:  located on Country Club Way and Groveland Street, has a basketball court, softball field and a    handicap accessible picnic area and playground.
PAW PARK AT BROHARD PARK: is a fenced area adjacent to the only beach  in the county where dogs are allowed.    It is open daily, from 7AM to Dusk.
PATRIOTS PARK AT VENETIA BAY: is a tribute to veterans of world wars, the fallen of 9/11 and heroes       everywhere.  It is located on US41 just north of the  intersection of US41 Bypass North and US 41 Business.
PRENTISS FRENCH PARK: located at Manatee Court and Narvaezi Street, has a handicap accessible play   ground and picnic area.
RONALD FOXWORTHY COMPLEX: at 1101 Gulf Coast Boulevard, is Venice’s newest park complex and has   added much to the existing Bypass Park’s softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, and playground area.    The complex now houses the new Gene Whipp Sports Center for Special Athletes, where training is held for Special Olympic sports. Future plans for the campus call for a 30,000 square foot facility for the Boys and Girls Club of Venice.
SERVICE CLUB PARK: built with city funds and the volunteer efforts from area service clubs, is located on Harbor   Drive.  It features a children’s playground, picnic areas and beach access.
SHAMROCK PARK & NATURE CENTER: at 3900 Shamrock Drive, offers a nature center, trails, rental space        tennis, basketball, and a playground area.
VENETIA PARK: located on Sorrento Street, has a playground, picnic area and shade trees.
VENETIAN WATERWAY PARK: is being built along the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway.  When completed,   the 8-foot pathway designed for strolling, jogging and biking, will be on both sides of the ICW, from just    north of the Hatchett Creek Bridge to Caspersen Beach on the west side and the  from Historic Venice Train Station to Shamrock Park on the ease side.
VENICE BEACH:  located at the end of West Venice Avenue, has picnic areas, a snack shop and pavilion, beach volley  ball and lifeguards on duty during the day.
VENICE MUNICIPAL FISHING PIER: located adjacent to Sharky’s Restaurant on Harbor Drive, has a bait shop,   terrific views of the sunset and is a favorite spot for fishing. 
WELLFIELD PARK:  located at 1300 Ridgewood Avenue, includes baseball, softball, soccer and football fields.    Many of the fields have lighting for night time play.  Other facilities at the site include a playground, nature   trail, restrooms and picnic area.
WEST BLALOCK PARK: located across Nassau Street from the Triangle Inn, offers brick sidewalks for walkers, park   benches and space for special events such as craft shows.  It also offers close proximity to the Venice Community Center.
WOODMERE PARK:  located at 3951 Woodmere Park Boulevard, offers a recreational building, gymnasium,  rental space, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts.  A paw park is also  available  for man’s best friend.

...and more parks...

There are several charming parks that are located in the center of points
where three or more streets converge.  These parks have landscaping,
benches and statues, and add a European touch to the community. They are

DR. FRED ALBEE PARK, located on Nassau Street;

FOUNTAIN PARK,  located on Nokomis Avenue,
which boasts a cast iron Italian fountain, and

PONCE DE LEON PARK, located on Ponce de Leon and Pedro Streets,
which has benches and a drinking fountain.

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GOLF,   TENNIS,   BOWLING   AND MORE. . .

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 A GOLFER’S PARADISE is found in Venice and the surrounding area.  The typical course winds around shimmering lakes and large stands of Florida pines and oaks.  Nestled away in country club communities and municipal courses, Venice offers many exquisite settings for unforgettable golfing.

AMF of VENICE BOWLING CENTER
1100 US41 Bypass South, Venice,   941.484.0666
Enjoy the thrill of knocking down pins when the weather keeps you inside for your recreation

BASKETVILLE
4411 Tamiami Trail S.,Venice,    941.493.0007
This popular shop features thousands of baskets as well as home accessories and silk flowers

BIRD BAY EXECUTIVE GOLF COURSE
602 Bird Bay Drive West, Venice,   941.485.9333
This is a public and semi-private, Par 3 Executive golf course.

BOCA ROYALE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
1601 Englewood Road, Englewood,   941.475.5525 or 1.800.852.5443
This is a private golf club with an 18-hole course

CALUSA LAKES GOLF CLUB
1995 Calusa Lakes Blvd., Nokomis,   941.484.8995
This public and semi-private golf club offers an 18-hole championship course.

CAPRI ISLES GOLF CLUB
849 Capri Isles Blvd.,  Venice,   941.485.3371
This public and semi=private golf club features and 18-hole championship course.

CITY OF VENICE PUBLIC TENNIS COURTS
West Venice Avenue, Venice, & Pinebrook Recreation Center
The city of Venice operates six public tennis courts, which are well-lit  for evening play, in downtown Venice and two courts at the Pinebrook Recreation Center.

JACARANDA WEST COUNTRY CLUB
601 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice,   941.493.5010
This is a private, 18 hole golf course.

MYAKKA PINES GOLF CLUB
2550 S. river road, Englewood,    941.474.3296
A semi-private club with 27 holes and a clubhouse, pro shop and snack bar.

PELICAN POINTE GOLF  & COUNTRY CLUB
499 Derbyshire Drive, Venice,  941.496.4653
This semi-private golf club features and 18-hole course.

THE PLANTATION GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
500 Rockley Blvd., Venice,  941.497.1494
This private golf and country club offers two 18-hole courses

THE SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SPA, RESORT & WELLNESS INSTITUTE
12200 San Servando Avenue, Warm Mineral Springs,  941.426.1692
Swim or wade and enjoy the benefits of nine million gallons a day of warm mineral water (at a constant 87 degrees) containing the highest mineral content in the world.

SOUTH COUNTY FAMILY YMCA
701 Center Road, Venice,   941.492.9622
The YMCA offers fitness and aerobics classes, preschool and after-school child care, and summer camp.   This facility also features Nautilus exercise equipment.  It also has an outdoor, Olympic-size swimming pool, softball and soccer fields, and courts for handball, racquetball, squash, and tennis.

SNOOK HAVEN RESTAURANT & FISH CAMP
5000 Venice Avenue East, Venice,  941.485.7221
Famed for its “old Florida” charm, Snook Haven Fish Camp claims to be the filming location for several movies.
Located on the banks of the Myakka River, Snook Haven offers a riverside restaurant, boat rides, fishing, and an undeniably
 unique atmosphere.

VENICE ART CENTER
390 South Nokomis Avenue. 941.485.7136

VENICE LITTLE THEATRE
140 W. Tampa Ave.  941.488.1115

VENICE SYMPHONY
941.488.1010.

VENICE COMMUNITY CENTER
326 s. Nokomis Avenue,  941.486.2311

WATERFORD GOLF CLUB
1454 Gleneagles Drive, Venice,   941.484.6621
This public and semi-private golf club features a 27 hole championship course.

WOODMERE TRAILS
2000 Border road, Venice,   941.483.3131
Guided trail rides and pony rides on 75 acres of beautiful trails. Summer camp lesion, birthday parties,  and special events.

 

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Festivals, Fairs and Parades

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Venice has events for every season,

for an annual calendar, click here

 

COMMUNITY LIFE

 

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Historical Overview

As long as humans have existed in the Americas, people have chosen to live in this Gulf Coast paradise destined to become known as Venice.  Even during the last ice age  people thrived on the shores of this bountiful land.  Traces of settlements from over 10,000 years ago are found as far as 100 miles offshore.  Due to substantially lower sea levels at the time, the Florida peninsula was twice as wide as it is today.  In an environment of vast savannas, grassland, and open prairies, the ancient Paleo people hunted long extinct animals including the mammoth, mastodon, cave bear, horse, bison, and even camel.  As a result, Venice and surrounding areas are rich in history and important archaeological sites.

Over many thousands of years, the aboriginal people flourished, ultimately giving rise to the mighty, expansive Calusa Indian nation.  Dominating most of South Florida, this substantial civilization thrived for innumerable generations.  Evidence of their passing includes impressive canal systems, beautiful carvings, and huge mounds.  Depending upon their location, mounds were constructed utilizing shell, debris, or earth, some of which can still be seen today.  A 5,000 year-old mound, left by unnamed Native American people, can be observed at Historic Spanish Point in Osprey.

Ponce de Leon put the peninsula on the map in 1513, calling it La Florida, chosen in honor of landing during the Easter Feast of Flowers.  He returned to a nearby   island along the gulf coast in 1521 with hundreds of settlers, attempting the first European settlement in North America.  The calusa people denied the encroachment, mortally wounding the conquistador.  Nonetheless, the Spanish wave continued during the 16th century.  After repeated exposure to European illnesses, the large, long-enduring native population became extinct within a time span of only about 200 years.  With no roads in the area, early 19th century seafaring pioneers were able to locate the small inlet to the bays by sighting a formation of trees resembling a horse and carriage.  Hence, the earliest known name for the Venice area was Horse & Chaise.  For a time, the first post office in the immediate area was called Eyry, intended to mean the nest of a predatory bird, actually spelled Aerie.

Without a harbor, early growth was slow until the Homestead Act, promising 160-acre land tracts, ushering in an era of new settlement. The first takers were John and Eliza Webb, settling in the Osprey area in 1867 with their five children.  The Reverend Jesse Knight, his wife Rebecca, and  some of their brook of fifteen quickly followed them, settling on the south side of Dona Bay.  A few years later, Robert Roberts came to the south side of the bay still named after him.

Memories of Venice, Italy led settler Frank Higel to submit the name Venice for the 1888 post office in what is today the Nokomis area.  In 1910, Bertha Honore Palmer’s purchase of a 140,000 acre land tract facilitated the extension of the Seaboard Airline, Railroad from Fruitville to a point south of    Roberts Bay.  She called the terminus Venice, and had the post office relocated to the new depot.  The citizens north of Roberts Bay ultimately chose another name, settling on “Nokomis”, the name of Hiawatha’s grandmother.
In 1916, Dr. Fred Albee, a bone specialist from New York, purchased a considerable quantity of property from the Palmer holdings.  Dr. Albee, envisioning a planned community, commissioned the well-known planner John Nolen to design the layout of the city.   The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), North America’s oldest rail labor union, purchased 50,000 acres from dr. Albee in 1925.  The BLE utilized the Nolan plan to build a retirement community directly on the beautiful gulf coast.  The city of Venice was incorporated in 1927, with Ned Worthington serving as the first mayor.  Today, the flavor of the traditional Italian architecture originally created is readily seen throughout the city of Venice.
The four-story Woodmere Lumber Mill, founded by Herman Kluge in 1918, provided most of the lumber used in the building of Venice.  Originally called Manasota, the mill employed about 1,500 people and cleared longleaf pine forests from thousands of acres of land.  The 10-acre mill town was destroyed by fire and abandoned by 1930.  Foundation stones from Woodmere were incorporated into the construction of the Venice Jetties in 1937.
1928 brought the first Tamiami Trail, a nine-foot wide route connecting Tampa and Miami, called the Velvet Highway, down the coast through the Venice area.  Just a few years later, the end of the land boom and the economic depression brought an end to the BLE development, causing many people to leave the area.  Venice, if effect, became a ghost town.
In 1932 the Kentucky Military Institute (KMI), the oldest private military school in the country, sought property for winter quarters.  Their commander, colonel C. B. Richmond , personally selected Venice for this purpose, bringing renewed economic life into the city.  KMI remained a vital factor within Venice for many years, until ceasing operations in 1970.  The influx of people following the establishment of the Army Air Base in 1942 substantially added to the economic stability of the Venice area.  The Florida Medical Center, started by Dr. Albee in 1933, was transformed into a military hospital Combat pilots and ground crews were trained at the base until November 1945.  In 1952 an offering of 19,000 platted lots encouraged the growth of the new community of South Venice.  Each 40 x 100 lot requiring a minimum of two for building, sold for $200.  building began in July of 1953, and by the middle of 1954, most had been sold.
Utilizing the existing rail lines, the Ringling brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus began to winter in Venice in 1960.  by 1962, the population had reached 27,000, a significant increase from the 1957 number of 10,000.
Construction of the 150-mile West coast Inland Waterway (Intracoastal Waterway) began in 1960 as the dredge “Dauntless” carved the way at about 2 miles per month.  The waterway expanded boating opportunities and created the island of Venice.  The $15.5 million project was dedicated in 1967.
Venice enjoys a rich and varied heritage, only briefly touched upon here.  Venice is a designated Florida MainStreet City, as awarded by the State of Florida for Historic Preservation.  Many other people and events from cattle ranchers to fishermen, from orange groves to turpentine stills and from Seminole Indians to dedicated public servants, all blend together to create the captivating city on the gulf we enjoy so much today. 
This is our Venice.

 

WE ARE 5 COMMUNITIES

 

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 Canoe at the Myakka River State Park. . .Hike at Oscar Scherer State Park. . .Bird watch at numerous sanctuaries. . . Take in the waters of Warm Mineral Springs. . . Step into the past at Historic Spanish Point.
Venice and its surrounding communities comprise a delightful area you'll enjoy getting to know better.  Business, culture, and natural beauty all await newcomers to this part of the gulf Coast.  And of all Florida, the south county area stands out as one of the most desirable spots—not too citified, still with much rural charm, yet with the facilities needed for comfortable living and a great place to open businesses and raise families.

VENICE CITY  Venice is one of the few cities on Florida’s west coast that is not separated from the Gulf by a barrier island.   Preserving the original character of Venice, the city created the Historic Venice District and an Architectural Review Board to ensure that new construction or modification of existing buildings conform to the northern Italian renaissance style of the city’s original architecture.  Designation as a Florida MainStreet City by the state further assures that Venice’s heritage will be preserved.

SOUTH VENICE Just beyond the Venice city limits lies South Venice.  It is conveniently located on US41, also known as Tamiami Trail, and is a center for shopping and light manufacturing.  This area is expanding and includes Manatee Community College’s south campus, the new Venice Health Park, as well as many beautiful housing developments and golfing communities.

NOKOMIS  Venice’s closest northern neighbor once had more cows than people.  Today, businesses, subdivisions, and private homes dot the area.  Nokomis stretches east from Casey Key to Interstate 75 and offers elegant residential neighborhoods, shopping, and all the amenities of today’s lifestyles.  Breathtaking waterfront homes are tucked amid natural splendor along the miles of shoreline of the Gulf.

LAUREL  Taking its name from the trees that once grew abundantly in the area, laurel is a small, mostly residential community between Nokomis and Osprey.  Today, Laurel is growing rapidly while retaining its country flavor.  There are few real boundaries, so it’s difficult for even natives to tell where Nokomis becomes Laurel.  Adding to the mix up and the charm is the Nokomis Post Office, located in Laurel on Laurel Road.

OSPREY  Northernmost of the Venice area communities, Osprey is the oldest.  Several small businesses serve residents of comfortable, older neighborhoods as well as an elegant golf club community.  Osprey is home to two of the area’s best recreational and educational habitats, Oscar Scherer State Park and Historic Spanish Point.  These sites are characteristic of Osprey’s ability to develop while maintaining its natural beauty.

 
PUBLIC SAFETY

 

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Is the Concern of the FIRE and POLICE Departments

The Fire and Police Departments are led by the Public safety Director, and each department is also led by a Chief.

FIRE:

The Fire Department consists of approximately 45 people housed in two stations:  Station 1-112 S. Harbor Drive; and Station 2—200 N. Grove Street.  The Non-emergency Phone is 480-3030.

PUBLIC EDUCATION The Family Fire Safety House is a mobile unit and used for public education.   It is used to teach home fire safety in a realistic setting and can also be used to demonstrate how fire sprinklers control fires.

MARINE RESCUE AND FIRE SUPPRESSION PROGRAM allows fire medics to provide emergency rescue and support to swimmers and boaters in natural bodies of water.

DIRECT (Doing It Right ensures Citizens Trust) is a program that takes fire service a step beyond the traditional expectations by empowering fire medics to use their own judgment when determining how to help someone who is experiencing a crisis.

THE HELPING HAND AWARD recognized the valor of citizens who do something outstanding to assist their fellow man in an emergency situation.

RECEIVING AN ISO RATING OF 3 from the Insurance Service Organization Inc., which allows all homeowners in the city limits to an automatic 15 percent reduction in the coast of homeowner’s insurance.
Venice firefighters spend approximately 14,000 hours per year in training to maintain state and federal requirements, and to enhance skill and proficiency.  The City has 773 fire hydrants.

 

POLICE:

The Police department consists of approximately 85 people and the Venice Police Station is located at 1350 Ridgewood Avenue, the Telephone Number is: 486-2444.

THE UNIFORMED PATROL DIVISION is responsible for operating within six  zones of the city and providing a uniformed patrol force.  The patrol force is the initial responder to citizen complaints and law enforcement emergencies.  It is responsible for investigating traffic crashes, traffic control and      enforcement, parking enforcement, coordination of special event duties, marine and bike patrol and electronic dispatching and recording of calls for service.

THE SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION is responsible for crime investigation, departmental training, records, public information, personnel, crime prevention and community policing programs, youth services, drug investigations, state accreditation, school-crossing guards and internal affairs.

MARINE PATROL
Responds to emergences and distress calls on the water and enforces boating regulation, teaches boating safety, provides boat inspections and clears navigational waterways of debris.

BIKE PATROL
Provides law enforcement in areas where it is difficult to get to in vehicles, and particularly in the downtown area during the holidays.

K-9 UNIT
Is used for narcotic detection, searching, tracking and apprehension.

WE’LL HAUL IT AWAY

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 BOX 1  

• Plastic bottles and jugs, remove lids and crush bottles 
     Glass: clear, green, brown; rinse and remove lids
     Steel and aluminum cans
     Empty aerosol cans
     Metal lids
     Juice boxes, milk and juice

 BOX 2 

•  Newspaper, mixed paper including magazines, phone books, computer paper,
     Catalogs, paper bags, mail, and other paper
•  CORRUGATED CARDBOARD
     Place clean and flattened cardboard beside the bins. 
     Bundle excessive amounts

 

• THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE RECYCLED:
     Window or mirror glass, light bulbs, ceramics
     Scrap metal, motor oil containers, flower pots
     Microwave food trays, waxed cardboard, books
     Yogurt, margarine, cottage cheese, sour cream and similar containers
     Clothes, clothes hangers, cookware and dishes
     Hazardous waste containers
     Plastic bags, plastic lids, newspaper sleeves
     Pizza boxes, paper plates and cups, envelopes with cellophane windows
     Any Styrofoam, including meat trays, egg cartons, deli/bakery containers

 YARD WASTE

•    must be put at the curb
     In plastic bags which are strong enough to hold the contents  OR
     In cans which do not exceed 40 pounds in weight or 32 gallon in size  OR
     In bundles not to exceed 40 pounds in weight, 4 ft in length or 2ft in diameter

All items put curbside for collection should be placed there before 7 AM the morning of the designated collection day.
YARD WASTE which requires a BULK COLLECTION includes trimmings from trees and shrubs, palm fonds and tree trunks.  A maximum of 20 cubic yards may be placed in separate piles for pick up.

 

A PERMIT IS NEEDED FOR THE FOLLOWING:

•  Construction of commercial and residential structures
•  One or two-story additions
•  Minor repairs, remodeling and alterations
•  Accessory structures, such as sheds, gazebos, chickee huts
   Carports
•  Pools and spas
•  Decks (Wood and concrete)
•  Screened porches, patios, enclosures
•  Awnings and canopies
•  Change of commercial owner or contractor
•  Rehabilitation of existing structures, such as roof
•  Paving ad drainage
•  Items related to plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas, such as air conditioning and    heating systems
•  Florida Law may require the procurement of permits for many other improvements.

A PERMIT MAY NOT BE NEEDED IF PLAN TO. . . 

•  
•  Install vinyl windows in existing frames
•  Apply aluminum siding
•  Replace windows in existing frames (egress windows must be preserved)
•  Install soffit and fascia
•  Add gutters (unless they serve a structural purpose)
•  Enclose existing entryway with screen
•  Change plumbing fixtures or appliances on existing residential plumbing, such as hot  water heater replacement

EXCEPTION: