Amenities

Nature trails, paved recreational trails, picnic shelters, picnic pavilion (available for rental), grills, park benches, playground, parking, restrooms

Experiences

Experience open viewscapes and shady hammocks as you walk, jog, rollerblade or cycle the multi-use trails totaling approximately 5 miles. This multi-purpose park preserves natural areas and reflects the County’s efforts at becoming more sustainable. Rothenbach Park playgrounds provide the latest in safe playground equipment, sitting on top a soft mulch surface so kids can run and jump with reduced risk of injury.

Green Features include:
• Mechanically vented restrooms, not air conditioned
• High reflective roofing material
• Recycled content in siding
• Exterior materials offer long life and low maintenance
• Waterless urinals
• Highly efficient compact fluorescent lighting
• Composite wood beams in place of heavy timber
• Steel structural components contain recycled material
• Concrete composed of up to 20% Fly Ash by weight
• High efficiency mechanical system
• On site storm water retention and treatment
• Fully ADA compliant
• Sealed concrete floors provide low maintenance and long life

History

Rothenbach Park is unique among all Sarasota County Parks in that it is the site of the (closed) capped Bee Ridge Landfill – a mountain of trash turned into a community treasure. The Bee Ridge Landfill opened at this site in 1970, mandatory recycling began in 1991 and the landfill was closed and capped in 2000. The site remains under Florida Department of Environmental Protection oversight as a capped landfill. The park officially opened on April 25th, 2009 and was named for Walter J. Rothenbach, Jr., a 40 year employee of Sarasota County. Walt continues to be involved in this and other wonderful County parks.

Habitats

Former landfill, hammock

Acreage

450 acres

Watershed

Sarasota Bay and Dona/Roberts Bay

Who Owns and Maintains

Owned by Sarasota County; currently managed jointly by Sarasota County Solid Waste and Parks and Recreation

Website

www.scgov.net

SCAT Bus stop and route

None