Grand Opening: The Scherer Thaxton Preserve

Scherer Thaxton Preserve

On Saturday, May 3, Sarasota County’s newest Preserve opens to the public. The Scherer Thaxton Preserve is named for two leading citizens and environmental benefactors, Elsa Scherer, who donated the land for what is now Oscar Scherer State Park, and Jon Thaxton, whose record while on the Board of Sarasota County Commissioners reflects rare and constant dedication to environmental concerns.

The new 287-acre Preserve is on Honore Avenue just north of where Honore runs into SR 681 that runs southwest from I-75 to Venice and Osprey on US 41. [See “Getting There” below].  Along with a hiking or bicycling trail, its five-acre lake is full of large mouth bass and bluegill, according to County environmentalist Christian Meyer. A parking area near a boat ramp makes it easy to get a canoe or kayak quickly out on the water. Plans call for fitness trail, picnic tables and more.

Bicyclists can reach the the Preserve either via the Honore bicycle path or from the Legacy Trail, which is linked to Scherer Thaxton via a connector trail. If one heads West on that trail from the Preserve, one will reach the Mary Thaxton Memorial Preserve, then Oscar Scherer State Park.

The Preserve offers native plants including wax myrtles, smilax, wild grape, blueberry and lyreleaf sage. Visitors have also spotted variety of birds that nest on the ground, such as Killdeer, along with otter, bobcat, eagles and osprey.

The Grand Opening is set for Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. to noon. There will be guest speakers, nature walks, exhibits and light refreshments.

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Getting there:

The Grand Opening is Saturday, May 3, from 10 am to noon.

From the North:

  • Either take Honore Avenue South, and look for the entrance to the Preserve a short distance before Honore reaches SR 681.
  • Or, take I-75 Exit 200 – SR 681 South toward Venice Osprey. Make the first right turn onto Honore, go north a short distance and look for the entrance on the left.
        From the South:
  •  Take US 41 N to Central Sarasota Parkway, go right to Honore Ave, and right at the entrance before reaching SR 681.