New DeSantis Park In Sarasota Named After FL Governor

SARASOTA, FL — A new Manatee County park will bear the name of Florida’s Republican governor.

Governor Ron DeSantis Park was narrowly approved by county commissioners during their Tuesday meeting in a 4-3 vote, according to Fox 13.

Commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Missy Servia and Carol Whitmore voted against the new name, while commissioners Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse, James Satcher and Kevin Can Ostenbridge supported honoring the governor.

The $2.6 million project planned for 17 acres in Sarasota, previously called Kinnan Park, is located in the 7500 block of Prospect Road, just north of Kinnan Elementary School. The park will include a half-mile walking trail, pickleball courts and a dog park.

Residents were invited to suggest names for the new park and more than 350 were submitted, the Bradenton Herald reported. Suggestions included “Tallevast Community Park” and “Prospect Preserve” — both references to the park’s location — and “Snooty Park,” a nod to the beloved, late manatee who called The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature home.

Servia, who currently represents District 4, where the park is located, created the contest last year.

Mike Rahn, who defeated her in the recent Republican primary, and Baugh urged their followers on social media to vote for naming the park after the governor, leading to DeSantis Park receiving the most votes, according to The Bradenton Times.

Servia, who said she supports DeSantis, expressed concern about the politicization of the park’s naming and said it “was hijacked for political reasons during a campaign.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, she said, "I ask you today to please step aside from the political game. You won. It worked. Please, don't name this neighborhood park after Governor Ron DeSantis, not because he's not deserving of it, but because it's just inappropriate."

Whitmore agreed, noting, "I was embarrassed that we would name this little teeny park with a cell tower on it after the governor."

Baugh pushed commissioners to move forward with the winning name, though.

“If you look at the survey that was done, there is definitely a name that had more votes than any other name. I will tell you that the people have spoken,” she said. “It is time for us to move forward and name this park. They want to see it named after our governor. It’s not even close.”