Introducing Venice:
- Located In: Sarasota County
- Population: 17,764 (Source: U.S. Census 2000)
- Community Type: Beach residential
- Size: 9.6 square miles
- Government: Council-manager system of government
History of Venice:
Richard Roberts established a homestead near Roberts Bay in the 1870s, planting an orange grove. In 1884, Roberts sold some of his holdings to Frank Higel, who established a citrus operation. Higel family members, along with the area’s first postmaster, Darwin Curry, settled on the name Venice for the community post office.
In 1911, the railroad arrived in Venice, opening it to further development.
In the 1920s, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, seeking to increase the its assets and holdings, purchased a large swathe of land and retained the services of city planner John Nolen to complete a plan for the city.
Things To Do In Venice:
For its modest size, Venice boasts a wealth of parks: More than 30 designated parks range in size from Little League ball fields to inviting beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Parks include:
- Brohard Park – A 67-acre park featuring the Service Club Park, Venice Fishing Pier, Paw Park and South Brohard Beach.
- Venetian Waterway Park – A 42-acre park found along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway and featuring a 10-mile long, 8-foot wide linear trail for walkers, joggers and bikers.
- Venice Municipal Beach – A 5.75-acre park featuring food concession, shelter, two sand volleyball courts, picnic area and boardwalks.
Dining In Venice:
- Café Venice, 116 West Venice Ave.
- Cassariano Italian Eatery, 305 W. Venice Ave.
- Crow’s Nest Marina Restaurant and Tavern, 1968 Tarpon Center Drive
- Honaluana Island Grill, 222 Airport Ave. E.
- Snook Haven Restaurant, 5000 E. Venice Ave.
- Thai Bistro, 537 E. Venice Ave.
What Makes Venice Special:
Known for its friendly, small-town charm, its quaint Mediterranean-style shopping district and its Certified Blue Wave Beach which earned a 2008 Best Restored Beaches Award, Venice is regarded by many as the “Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World.” An abundance of prehistoric sharks’ teeth may be found on Venice’s beaches and the adjoining Sarasota County Caspersen Beach Park.
Venice’s main thoroughfare, Venice Avenue, is the site of frequent concerts, arts and crafts shows and other community events. The city is blessed with an abundance of green spaces and parks, and Venice continues to set aside land for public enjoyment even today. Plans call for future parks including Venice Myakka River Park, a 10-acre park that will feature a canoe and kayak launch, picnic tables, restrooms, playground and nature trails; and Sawgrass Park, an 8-acre park on Auburn Road that will have a canoe and kayak launch.