City OKs protection, enhancement of Warm Mineral Springs Park

Published on September 11, 2024

NORTH PORT, FL - The City Commission took a major step toward protecting and enhancing the buildings at Warm Mineral Springs Park and the surrounding property Tuesday while preserving their historic and environmental character.

Commissioners unanimously approved a plan to floodproof and fully restore the admissions building and complete a hybrid renovation of the spa building, converting it to an open-air pavilion. This would preserve the buildings' Sarasota School of Architecture design and historical designation.

The third historic building on the property, the cyclorama, would be stabilized and secured to preserve and protect it from the elements until sufficient funding is available for its restoration. 

City staff had recommended the plan as the best option for maintaining the historic character of the buildings, meeting the operational needs of Parks & Recreation staff and park patrons and closely aligning with available project funding. The plan took into account feedback from residents and stakeholders and was endorsed by the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation.

The Commission also directed staff to begin negotiations with the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast to place a conservation easement on the 60 acres of City-owned land adjacent to Warm Mineral Springs Park.

An easement would allow for the restoration and preservation of the property as public land and protect it from future high-intensity development. It would also allow for time to secure alternative funding to complete the improvements identified in the 2019 Warm Mineral Springs Park Master Plan and the proposed trailhead and trail connection to the North Port Connector to the Legacy Trail. The Commission direction also included exploration of a potential botanical partner and a possible holistic health center.

"We are thrilled to to be making huge progress on solving this legacy problem that has been discussed in North Port for more than a decade," City Manager Jerome Fletcher said. "The Commission has listened to the concerns of its residents and stakeholders and found a compromise that allows us to get to work on making Warm Mineral Springs a cultural and environmental asset we can all be proud of."

Staff will bring back more details on designs and costs at future commission meetings. Visit NorthPortFL.gov/WMSPMasterPlan to view Tuesday's meeting and presentation and to sign up to receive email updates on Warm Mineral Springs Park.