
First Hands Around the Lake
Park Manager, Tony Clements organized the first ever attempt to circle the lake with Earth Day attendees. Though we only managed to line the beach, it was a fun event.
Next year we will try again, be sure to be apart of it.
GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT
EARTH DAY
BURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
April 22nd, 2012
Oscar Scherer State Park
Only $3 Per Entry
All photographs must embody the theme
“Natural Florida: Its plants, wildlife, and scenery”.
Deadline for postmarked or hand-delivered submissions is April 12th.
Click for: Entry forms and guidelines or they can be requested by:
Calling: (941)483 5956 or E-mailing: dan.a.nelson@dep.state.fl.us
The Twelfth Annual Scrub Jay races were another huge success.

Photo courtesy of Alan Rodriguez Photography | AlanRphoto.com
Over 600 runners took part. Race results, courtesy of the Manasota Track Club, are available by clicking on the following links:
Thank you to all of the volunteers and sponsors who helped make the race possible. Please plan on running next year.
The 12th Annual Scrub Jay 5k and 10k Race will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012.
Online registration is closed. Paper advance registration will be accepted at the Ranger Station at Oscar Scherer State Park
through closing (6 p.m.) February 15th. Race morning registration will be from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m.
Be sure to arrive early.
Race day registration and packet pick up begins at 6:45 am and ends at 7:45 am. Park opens at 6:30 am. Arrive early to avoid parking congestion. Vehicles will be stopped at the park entrance beginning at 7:55 for the race start until the runners have cleared the roads and are on the trails.
The Friends of Oscar Scherer Park purchased a new lawn mower for the park. The Gravely mower sports a 48′ deck for cutting a wide swath of grass. The new mower will be used by both the Friends and park personel to maintain the trails and grass in the park.
The canoe docks are being redone and new racks will be built to accommodate the new kayaks and canoes. The park is furnishing the materials and the Monday/Wednesday volunteer work group known a The Old Curmudgeons are doing the installation. Seen here are Mike Murphy at the bitter end and Jim Harmon laying some decking.
Father’s Day 2011 – Hope every father had a great Father’s Day – these certainly did! They, along with a few mothers spent the day outdoors with sons and daughters learning to navigate the bush hunting down puzzle pieces and trinkets with a compass. The toddlers also had a short course to follow marked with yellow ribbon. Then they had hot dogs, fruit, granola bars, soda and water. Feedback was “IT WAS GREAT” being outdoors, meeting new people and being with family. The event was run by volunteers and park personnel.
This is a yearly event so join us next Father’s Day from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
The Friends of Oscar Scherer Park recently purchased a new electric cart for the use of the Park Rangers.
The new vehicle is used on a daily basis for Park maintenance. It has a tighter turning radius and more power than the older carts in the Park.
The vehicle cost in excess of $8,000.00.





The Monday/Wednesday Volunteer work group removes the invasive Australian Pine from the North Lido Beach area under their renovation program. It’s a WIN for both parks. Lido gets rid of a troublesome tree, gains area and Oscar Scherer gets income from the sale of this firewood by the Friends to the campers.
This, once a month, trip has been going on for over a year and will continue one day a month for a long time . The invasive has taken over a large area of Lido.
Our campers love it because it burns very well with little ash and they don’t need to travel out of the park to purchase firewood. The price is right as well.