The Giving Challenge is an exciting 24-hour online giving event that brings together thousands of generous donors across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. Since 2012, it has generated over $92 million in unrestricted funding for local nonprofits. This remarkable event is hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with support from The Patterson Foundation.

Your donations to the Friends directly support the Park, the funds are used for projects and enhancements that would otherwise not be possible. In past years Giving Challenge donations have enabled us to:

• Create an accessible to all, partially paved, path around Lake Osprey
• Construct a ‘Boardwalk’ pier with safety rail.
• Create a littoral shelf around Lake Osprey .
• Renourish Lake Osprey beach with sand and rebuild the retaining wall.
• Repair and update the screen room annex at the Nature Center.

The Patterson Foundation will provide a 1:1 match for all unique donations, up to $100 per donor. That means your $100 donation becomes $200!

PARK UPDATE – 25th March 2026

Trails – Red and Green trails will remain partially closed due to Eagle nesting season. Trails will reopen after May 15th.
Nature Center – Please click HERE to check for our opening days and times.
Canoe and kayak rentals – Open – All reservations are now made by clicking this link to Whenever Watersports. 
Tram Tours and Night paddles – Closed for the season.
Glamping Sites – NOW AVAILABLE. Reserve on line HERE –  What the papers say about Glamping at Oscar Scherer!

Please continue to visit this website as we will post updates as they are available.
Thank you,
Matt Kruse – Park Manager

Friends of Oscar Scherer Park

About Us

The FOSP is a 501c3 non-profit organization; officially designated a CSO – Citizen Support Organization – by the Department of Environmental Protection. We operate under usual non-profit guidelines but have DEP oversight, due to our affiliation to a state park.

Our purpose is to raise funds from events and appropriate grants that can be used by Oscar Scherer State Park for projects and equipment purchases. Basically the “Friends” make up the shortfall in state funding and also plan more ambitious projects that we consider beneficial to the park.

Click HERE for the latest FOSP UPDATE NewLetter

Campsite Reservations

All Oscar Scherer State Park Campsite Reservations, except Glamping Sites,
can be reserved online HERE; or by calling toll free 1-800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time.