A new Multi-Use Recreation Trail (MURT) has opened along the perimeter of the downtown Sarasota campus in Selby Gardens. The 800 linear foot MURT will provide pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, and others safe access to the campus, as well as safe access to the Sarasota Bayfront from areas south and east of the gardens.
Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens, said: “MURT allows our guests to safely and conveniently walk or bike to campus. In addition, our entire community provides multimodal connectivity to Sarasota’s Bayfront and beyond.”
A paved trail runs along the north and east boundaries of Selby Gardens, along Mound Street/US 41 to the north and South Orange Avenue to the east. The pathway widens the former sidewalk that adjoined the Selby Gardens campus, running up to 12 feet wide on Orange Avenue and adding width at Mound Street. Can be used for walking, jogging, cycling, inline skating, etc.
According to Rominiecki, the future highlight of MURT is the garden view.
“Once construction of the first phase of our project is completed next fall, all MURT users will have a spectacular view of the campus’ new garden features and historic elements.” says Rominiecki. “The design aims to make the garden look and feel more open, rather than hidden behind fences and walls. It can be done.”
MURT’s landscaping plans include adding irrigation lines and new plantings maintained by Selby Gardens’ horticultural staff. MURT is the first component of Phase 1 of the garden master plan to open the Downtown Sarasota campus. The entire Phase 1 is expected to be completed in October 2023.
USA Today pays tribute to Lights in Bloom
Lights in Bloom is a repeat winner of Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in USA Today’s “10Best Readers’ Choice” competition.
Selby’s annual holiday light show won sixth place among 20 nominated botanic garden light displays nationwide. Candidates were selected by a dedicated editorial board in his November, and a public vote produced a list of the top 10 winners.
“Our great partners, Affairs in the Air, are always looking for new ways to light up our gardens and entertain the creativity of our visitors. And the staff at Selby Gardens, especially the events team, We work hard to make this event great. Thank you to everyone who voted for us in this contest and to everyone who visits Lights in Bloom each year.”
This is the second year in a row and third time in four years that Lights in Bloom has been recognized by USA Today. Last year it was eighth.
Highlights of this year’s show include colorful illuminated trees lining the Great Lawn, a gingerbread house themed display on the façade of the historic Selby House, and an ideally illuminated Butterfly Garden. Includes a pair of butterfly wings. There is also a “wishing tree” that ties colorful ribbons with wishes for the year 2023.
Lights in Bloom runs on select nights through January 5, but future nights may sell out. For tickets and more information, visit selby.org.
Submitted by Greg Lubelecki