The Rose Park Living Shoreline Project is a two-phase initiative to restore and enhance the shoreline of Rose Park, a small public park owned and managed by Manatee County along the eastern edge of Palma Sola Bay. The project will transform a hardened shoreline into a resilient, nature-based coastal system that improves water quality, restores habitat, and protects the bay from storm impacts.

This initiative is led by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) and made possible by partnerships with Manatee County and Cummins Cederberg Coastal & Marine Engineering.

Project Features

The Rose Park project will retrofit a hardened shoreline into a living shoreline. This nature-based approach softens and stabilizes shorelines while supporting coastal ecosystems. Instead of traditional hard structures, living shorelines use natural materials and native habitats to:

• Restore intertidal and nearshore habitats
• Improve estuarine, shellfish, and fisheries habitat
• Filter stormwater runoff before it enters the bay
• Reduce erosion and increase resilience to sea level rise
• Enhance public access to environmental education

Over 80% of Sarasota Bay is lined with hardened shorelines. Therefore, living shoreline projects are highly valuable and essential, underscoring this project as an important investment in the long-term health of the bay.

Project Phases

• Phase I (FY25): Design & Permitting (Ongoing in 2026): Phase I focuses on preparing the site for construction by completing engineering and environmental design, coordination with stakeholders, and permit acquisition.
• Phase II (FY26): Construction (Start Date Pending): Phase II will implement the design and complete construction of the living shoreline, stormwater retrofit improvements, improved vegetation, and educational signage.

Learn More

To learn more about the Rose Park Living Shoreline project, please email info@sarasotabay.org.