Because the health, safety and well-being of our community is of utmost importance, officials at Nathan Benderson Park are closing the park’s playground, effective this morning. Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA) has moved to close the park’s popular Ronald A. Balducci Playground, effective at 6 am Wednesday, March 25. SANCA operates and manages the park under contract to Sarasota County. The closure is due to an order from Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, issued to all the county’s parks as a measure to respond to the novel coronavirus. New policies for events and programs in the park were announced March 16 by SANCA. The policies are in place until April 12, but may extend to mid-May, as officials monitor the situation.  Amenities and equipment will remain available to NBPerks affiliates for individual use. Private lessons and rentals will be by appointment only.  Events of 10 or more people scheduled through March 31, and events of 50 or more people scheduled through April 12, are postponed.

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