Plans for Bay Street Dog Park Published
Preliminary plans for the bay street dog park have been published and can be seen below. Click the image for larger version. 
Friday April 12th 2019, We’re pleased to announce that the Bay Street fence extension has been completed. This new segment is an extension from the original fence that was negotiated with the County as part of the overall Bay Street extension project. You will note that the east end of the fence extension is several feet short of the Legacy Trail. This was necessary to allow our landscaping equipment to gain access for pruning, mowing, etc. on the backside of Lake 5, as well as to allow access for our pond maintenance vendor to gain access. Needless to say, the new fence extension affords Park Trace residents privacy and wind mitigation that was lacking. Special thanks go to County administrators Spencer Anderson and Ken Stokes, who listened to our concerns about these matters, and acted accordingly. 
Park Trace Walk Connects Neighbors and Nature 
On Monday, April 1st 2019, 11 Park Trace residents met for a morning nature walk with Tony Clements, Park Manager of Oscar Scherer State Park and our next door neighbor to the south. Neighbors came together to walk along the back of the pond bordering the state park. Tony Clements discussed many topics including the prescribed burn procedure, wildlife, lightening strikes, native and invasive species,and the impact of the new Palmer Ranch communities.
Tony commended the effort by Park Trace to remove the Brazilian pepper trees which had overtaken our common area on the shared border along the back side of the pond. He stressed the importance of the proper use of lawn fertilizer which passes through our stormwater ponds into the South Creek Watershed, then to the Bay and finally into the Gulf of Mexico. It is important to note that stormwater runoff is currently considered the largest contributor to degraded water quality in Florida.
A park program to be introduced in the near future will bring together neighboring HOA communities as partners with the state park with the goal of working together for the betterment of all. He encouraged residents to visit the park and enjoy the beautiful setting and the many informative programs offered. There are also great volunteer opportunities available in the park. Living next door to Oscar Scherer State Park is just one of the many great benefits of being a Park Trace Estates resident.
New Trees Planted along Bay Street
May 17th 2018: Five newly planted “Shady Lady” Black Olive trees are beautifully filling in landscaping gaps along our fence.These newly planted trees are part of the on-going landscaping activity that continues to beautify our wonderful community.
These little guys still have a long way to go to flourish into mature adults, but as they grow they will offer a beautiful visual and noise buffer from the anticipated increase of traffic on Bay Street.
For more information regarding the Black olive trees , click here
Landscape Buffer area to be added to Park Trace Ponds
April 19th 2018: After consultation with landscape and pond management vendors, and representatives from Sarasota County, Park Trace will help stabilize further pond erosion by creating a “buffer zone” on the perimeter of our ponds. A buffer zone is an area that separates the lawn and the pond shoreline. Generally, the grass in the buffer zone is allowed to grow higher than regular grass. Please know that buffer zone grass will help stabilize erosion and will not block the views of the ponds.
The establishment of a “no mow” buffer zone along pond edges has had long-term financial and environmental benefits for communities that have implemented buffer zones. Research shows that buffer zones stabilize delicate pond shorelines that are continually eroding from rain run-off and wind-driven wave action.
Additionally, buffer zones create healthy ponds that result in better water quality. They help filter fertilizer run-off when it rains and prevents grass clippings from entering ponds which cause excessive nutrient spikes that create algae blooms.
Park Trace will maintain this buffer zone for an aesthetically pleasing, neat edge around the ponds. No mowing will be allowed in the buffer zone to prevent further erosion that is caused by the weight of the heavy mowers.
We will soon begin marking the buffer zone areas. This will entail a simple process of using stakes and cord. We will also have temporary signs placed in the buffer zones to alert your landscaping service.
Homeowners and their landscaping service are asked not to mow the buffer zone.
Holiday Decoration
On Saturday December 4th 2017, a resident-volunteer team decorated the entry monuments with garlands, wreaths and holiday lights. On Sunday, another group of resident-volunteers added final touches by planting red begonias in the beds of the entry monuments.
A big thanks to the decoration committee that included Janet Jarzyna, Judy and Hank Holton, Jeff and Gail Oxley, BiBiche Knauf, and Bob Ungemach
And another big thanks to the gardening group who included Judy and Hank Holton, Karen Miller, Helen Statz, Roland Levy, Bob Ungemach, and Margaret and Ralph Monti.
New Entrance Islands Landscaping:
Wednesday, October 11th, 2017: The island Welcome Gardens at the East and West entrances to Park Trace Estates were planted with colorful shrubs and plants to highlight our majestic Sylvester palm trees. More Info.
New Landscaping installed:
Saturday, June 24th, 2017: Park Trace Has New Gardens! Four new garden beds were installed at the monuments on the East and West entrances to Park Trace Estates. More info.
Owl watches over Park Trace:
Saturday, June 24th , 2017: An Owl was observed standing watch over Park Trace last evening at approximately 11PM. The picture was submitted by Elida Ramberger.
Residence taken by the Great Horned Owls is almost always in trees. These owls are adaptable and more-or-less ultimate survivors of the owl species. Their prey includes all small to small-medium sized animals, and in Florida includes armadillos, lizards, raccoons, rats, squirrels, mice, moles, bats, shrews, muskrats and weasels. Old Wives’ tales even tell of the Great Horned Owl of the Southern states making off with domesticated cats and puppies!
Whatever their predatory and survival instincts in Florida or elsewhere in the Americas, the Great Horned Owl gives off the energy of the wisest and toughest owl this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Be Floridian, Fertilize Less, Enjoy Florida More!
Monday, May 22nd, 2017: Sarasota prohibits the use of fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorus during the summer rainy season. Summer rains wash fertilizers and pollutants from our yards into our ponds, creeks, and bays. Stormwater run odd carries the nitrogen and phosphorus into our waterways causing algae blooms and killing aquatic life. County Brochure
Bay Street Extension Project :
Monday, November 7th, 2016: Correspondence between the HOA President and Sarasota County – Public Works regarding a proposed fence is now posted in the Projects area of the Homeowners section. More info..
Policy and Procedure for Political Signs Adopted at August meeting.
Tuesday, August 16th. 2016: This Policy and Procedure documents, for all Park Trace Estates members and residents, the Board of Directors policy on the display of any political signs during the election season from 16 August through 15 November 2016. It also spells out how violations of that policy will be enforced. Outside of those dates political signs will be treated as any other signs, requiring individual prior approval. More info..
Rattle Snake sighted near Legacy trail entrance:
Monday July 11th, 2016: A resident reports seeing a large rattle snake monday evening at the entrance to the Legacy Trail. They also report that another biker said she has seen it here before and it is a big one and rattled like crazy. She said he goes into the hedge that acts as buffer for PT houses and trail. Dog walkers especially at dawn and dusk should be aware. More info:
Loyal Volunteers gather to install Holiday Lighting:
December 6, 2015: 
Janet and Frank Jarzyna and a group of “Loyal Volunteers” met to install the holiday lighting at the Park Trace entrances. This group included Elli Freihofer, Hank and Judy Holton, Jeff and Gail Oxley, Sue Flaherty, Dan and BiBiche Knauf, and Shirley Bailog.
“The beautiful wall decorations are the direct result of the time and efforts of the Park Trace residents. Without their talents and skills, the job could never have been accomplished.” – Janet Jarzyna
Diamondback rattlesnake sighted in vicinity of 178 Willow Bend Way.
October 28th , 2015:
A Diamondback snake has been sighted in the area of 178 Willow Bend Way. Please be alert.
For more information regarding Diamondback snakes click here
Coyote sighted on Park Trace Blvd
Oct 14th 2015: Around 2:45 Pm, a small brown Coyote was sighted walking down the sidewalk on Park Trace Blvd. The following link has information on what to do if you see a Coyote. From the Coyote Smarts website: http://www.coyotesmarts.org/what-to-do/
Beach Get Together Sept 24th 2015.
Park Trace Residents enjoyed a stunning evening and were treated to a fabulous sunset last night. It was quite spectacular from start to finish. The storm clouds were all around but never interfered with the event. Congrats to the lucky winners of the door prizes: Ron and Brenda Creech, on the left, had first choice and picked the $25 gift certificate from Mad Moes. Shirley Ballog won the Tropical Car Wash. She’s smiling because her car ( isn’t it actually a jeep) hasn’t been washed in a year. (Just kidding Shirley) And Marianne Morrissette won the $20 gift certificate from First Watch. Be sure and try to patronize these establishments for their kind support and let them know you’re from Park Trace. Also free massage and haircuts from the new Sports Clips were won by the Sanchy family. There was strong interest to organize a block party for our next event at the end of Oak Briar Lane in the cul de sac . How about a Halloween Party on October 31st with a tent and a great Reggae Band? Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. Let us know your thoughts. Most of all say hi, offer a helping hand and volunteer every now and then. Thanks to all for helping make this a fun evening. We hope to see you at the next one.
-Bill Cutler-
Black Skimmers visit Park Trace lakes.
One of only 3 skimmer species on the planet, this ungainly bird with its awkward proportions and clumsy gait is transformed into a a masterful acrobat when it’s in the air skimming the water for food. The skimmer’s long wings give it the necessary lift to stay just inches above while slicing the water with its lower mandible. When something is sensed, the bill snaps shut instantaneously. read more
Rowdy Rooster wreaks havoc on Park Trace landscape.
A raucous rooster has been seen throwing the landscaping mulch into the street at the Park Trace east enhance island. Dan Knauf the Park Trace HOA president has been hot on his trail, seeking to relocate the capricious capon to better quarters. Convincing “Randy the Rooster” to relocate has been a challenge. Dan points out that his wife has a fine recipe for Coc au Vin should the situation become desperate. Randy is seen leaving the scene of the crime in the picture below right.
“Randy The Rooster” featured in local news article. Article in Sarasota Observer.