Sarasota County’s Neighborhood Grant Program
Project Description  |  Updates

Our grant application encompasses two separate project areas; Sandy Cove’s front entrance (north and south side) along Ocean Boulevard and the north border of our greenway and adjacent beachfront.

I. Sandy Cove Condominium Association, Inc. Front Entrance Project Description
The completion of the Ocean Boulevard entrance project will provide a safe passageway for pedestrians and motor vehicles coming into the village as well as entering and exiting our complex. The addition of native and Florida friendly plants will restore the area to its natural state enabling native wildlife to live in a protected habitat and create safer nesting sites. Our project will:

A. Upgrade the safety of our point of entry by:
-   Changing the lighting around our entrance sign by replacing the old single light on either side of our sign with 4 new      florescent lights for better coverage and more even illumination. This will facilitate the identification of our complex      for the driving public as well as create a safer sidewalk for pedestrians entering the Village.
-   Increase the visibility of our entrance sign from Ocean Boulevard by placing low growing plants around our sign;      improving visibility is critical for public safety vehicles such as fire, police and ambulances.
-   Enhancing our entrance and streetscape for the walking and driving public by removing the old hazardous railroad      ties that leech dangerous chemicals into the soil and replacing them with limestone rocks
-   Providing a safer exit from our complex to Ocean Boulevard by removing the Australian Pine and its root system on      the north side of our entrance to allow a better view of oncoming traffic.
-   Using Bacillus thuringiensis weekly to prevent mosquito development in bromeliads

B. Restore the natural environment by:
-   Removing invasive exotic plants that are damaging to the environment and then creating a healthy, wildlife friendly      and drought tolerant landscape for our entrance and streetscape near the Siesta Key Village with rocks,      bromeliads, palm trees and other native and Florida Friendly plants
-   Preventing erosion of the soil, filtering out harmful pollutants, and improving the water quality of the swale (the      brackish water in this swale ultimately returns to the gulf through a pipe under Ocean Boulevard to the canal      systems) by planting Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass along the edge of the swale area
-   Enhancing the irrigation in this area with micro-irrigation, and using this system only when necessary to help      conserve water in our aquifer.
-   Creating a cleaner environment by removing invasive growth along the edge of the swale that is part of our property      and removing trash that is thrown into the area
-   Controlling weeds, retaining moisture and adding nutrients to the soil, and enhancing the growth of the new plants      by using natural compost and Melaleuca mulch

C. Future plans for this area (not included in this grant request but funded by our association) include:
-   Working with Sandy Hook to clean our their swale area of trash and invasive plants following the guidelines given to     us by Rachel Herman, Project Scientist with the Sarasota County Resource Protection
-   Removing the remaining invasive plants along our driveway and around our maintenance garage and replanting      with native and Florida friendly landscaping.

II. Sandy Cove Condominium Association, Inc. Beach and North Greenway Project Description
Our beachside greenway project on the north side of our property (adjacent to Sandy Cove 2 and Pass Key complexes), will eliminate many dangerous plants and create a safer passageway to the beach for our residents and guests. The addition of native plants to this area will greatly enhance the natural habitat for wildlife and be a safe haven for their populations to increase. Our project will:

A. Upgrade the safety for our residential complex and the walkway to the beach by:
-   Clearing the cement walkway to the community pier (used for fishing by our association as well as Pass Key) by     removing the invasive Naupaka on the dune near the pier and restoring with native Mulhy Grass and Blanket     Flowers
-   Removing the Brazilian Pepper trees that can cause an allergic reaction for some people
-   Protecting our buildings from storms by planting native plants on our dune system and strong, healthy plants along     our border

B. Restore the natural environment by:
-   Allowing the existing native palm trees and sea grapes to flourish by removing the Brazilian Peppers, Ficus, Vitex     and other invasive plants and their root systems.
-   Creating an excellent wildlife habitat containing both food and shelter by planting native Marlberry, Simpson’s      Stopper, and Dwarf Cocoplum
-   Restoring the health of our sea grape border by trimming branches from invasive trees (on our neighbor’s property)     that are hanging over and smothering the existing plants. Stronger roots and more foliage will protect wildlife and     contain the sandy soil.

C. Future plans for this area (not included in this grant request but funded by our Association) include:
-   Helping our neighbors improve their landscape by removing the large Brazilian Pepper rooted on their property (if      their association approves this) at our expense ($300.00)
-   Creating a butterfly garden in place of the large Vitex bed that will be removed by this project
-   Planting an additional hedge of Dwarf Cocoplum, Simpson’s Stoppers and Marlberry around the kayak rack
-   Restoring the rest of the beach dune by planting more Sea Oats, Muhly Grass, Blanket Flowers and Beach -           Sunflowers.

Future Plans for the Maintenance of the Beach, North Greenway, and the Ocean Boulevard Entrance
Sandy Cove’s commitment to continual care of our Florida friendly landscaping projects will be maintained by:

-   The strong leadership of our Board which totally supports the environmentally sensitive approach to landscaping
-   An active landscaping committee that oversees community projects
-   An active Garden Club that will continue to enthusiastically donate their time and “muscle-power” to weed, water and      watch over the areas
-   Weekly administration of Bacillus thuringiensis to prevent mosquitoes from developing in the bromeliads
-   Owners’ financial donations to support additional landscaping needs
-   Our dedicated landscaper/gardener who is totally committed to our goals and strategies regarding native and Florida      friendly plants and eco-friendly maintenance. She will be the guiding force in caring for the newly landscaped areas.