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Caspersen Beach
4100 Harbor Drive, Venice, FL  34285
Caspersen Beach is located south of the Venice Airport on Harbor Drive. The southern two thirds of beachfront has been left in its natural state. A dune restoration system with walkovers has been implemented to preserve the shoreline.

Caspersen is recognized as one of the most enjoyable shelling beaches in this area. This is an exceptionally good area to find prehistoric sharks’ teeth. You can see freshwater and saltwater marshes, mangrove areas, and tidal flats. Visitors can enjoy a 20 minute walk through Caspersen's nature trail which has been developed through a coastal hammock.

Amenities:

177 acres of land
9,150 linear feet of gulf beach frontage
1,100 foot boardwalk
dune walkovers
fishing
nature trail (.34 mile trail)
parking
picnic area
No Lifeguards are on duty.
rest rooms
swimming
undeveloped land

History:

• Originally deeded to Sarasota County by the Caspersen family in 1968 through a special warranty deed that stipulated the land would revert back to the family in 20 years.

• In 1972, a bond referendum was held and passed for the purpose of acquiring Caspersen Beach and South Lido Park.

• In 1986, the Board of County Commissioners included the Caspersen Mainland site (64 acres) in a $20 million bond referendum which the voters approved.

• A friendly condemnation suit was filed by the Caspersen family requiring the county to prove in Federal Court the need for the land as a public park. The court ruled in the county's favor and established the value of the land.

• A Land and Water Conservation Fund grant combined with proceeds from the bond referendum provided the funding to acquire the site at the price established by the court.