INSIDE
NBP REC DAYS! ALL ABOUT FAMILIES
NEW CEO NAMED FOR PARK OPERATOR NBP REC DAYS! IS ALL ABOUT FAMILIES DRAGON BOAT NATIONALS DATE SET SUMMER CAMP EXTENDED TO FILL NEED
AUGUST 2020 A PUBLICATION OF SUNCOAST AQUATIC NATURE CENTER ASSOCIATES BOGO RENTALS! For the months of August and September, reserve a kayak, SUP, pedal pontoon boat or single scull rental and get the second one free. Email [email protected] to schedule today — just say you have the Sarasota Big Pass! NEWS SANCA TAPS A NEW CEO COURTESY PHOTO
Tomás Herrera-Mishler, new CEO and president
3 NEW CEO HERRERA-MISHLER WILL CONCENTRATE ON FUNDRAISING; RODRIGUEZ BECOMES COO AND CONTINUES TO MANAGE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS
By DOUGLAS E. JESSMER experiences for disadvantaged individuals and Nathan Benderson Park recent immigrants, building a staff of about 40 percent with minority backgrounds. The he nonprofit that operates Nathan parks are now considered one of the city’s chief Benderson Park, the region’s premier recreational, environmental and aesthetic assets, Tinternational sports facility, is led by a new and are maintained at best-in-class levels. chief executive. “Nathan Benderson Park is a special community Tomás Herrera-Mishler will assume a new role asset in Sarasota and an internationally Aug. 3 as president and CEO of Suncoast Aquatic recognized rowing facility,” Herrera-Mishler Nature Center Associates, which manages the said. “I am excited to be leading this venture to park for Sarasota County. Herrera-Mishler will build and operate the finest park in our region, focus on long-term strategic planning, community serving guests and residents through high- engagement and fundraising. quality recreational amenities, fitness, events and SANCA’s CEO and president, programs in a beautiful park setting.” Stephen V. Rodriguez, will Herrera-Mishler was hired by the SANCA continue as the chief operating board after the park’s fundraising functions were officer. He will be responsible moved to SANCA from the Nathan Benderson for the day-to-day operations of Community Park Foundation. SANCA and the park. “The park is entering a new phase of growth Herrera-Mishler comes to and has tremendous potential to increase its Sarasota from San Diego, where Stephen V. facilities, programs and utilization to improve he was the inaugural CEO Rodriguez the quality of life in our community,” SANCA and president of Balboa Park moves to the Chairman Ronald Shapo said. “We are very Conservancy. In this role, he new position pleased that Tomás has agreed to assume the generated $18 million over five of chief mantle of leadership of the park as we move years through a combination of operating forward. His unique background and skill set will private donors, foundations and officer. be invaluable in helping us achieve our goals government funding. and maximize our future growth in a fiscally Before that, he was CEO and responsible and environmentally sensitive president from 2008-14 of the Buffalo (N.Y.) manner.” Olmsted Parks Conservancy, one of the nation’s Rodriguez, longtime leader at the park, top public/private park partnerships. Herrera- welcomed Herrera-Mishler: “I look forward to Mishler helped to secure almost $30 million working alongside Tomás, who shares a passion for capital-improvement projects toward the for public spaces and service to the community. implementation of the park system’s master plan, This will make for a team that will continue to which has been called “visionary.” He oversaw drive the park forward and develop a first-class partnerships to provide green industry work community asset for all.”
4 Herrera-Mishler has also worked as the New leader to build executive director of the Awbury Arboretum in Philadelphia, Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, on growth and success N.C., and the Massachusetts Horticultural SANCA makes this organizational change Society in Boston. because of growth, financial stability and He began his career in Florida as a profitability achieved, and also because of growth registered landscape architect at the noted in programs, events and team training. In 2019, firm of Wallace Roberts Todd in Coral Gables, operating programs, events and team training where he worked on the master plans for sessions kept the park busy 352 days. The park’s the Ringling Museum and the Civic Center momentum includes: in Sarasota. Herrera-Mishler has designed • An annual overall economic impact of more projects across the United States, the than $30 million for the past three fiscal years. Caribbean, his native country, Mexico, and • Programs that bring the community together Mallorca, Spain. One of his most notable for wellness, recreation and education, which projects is the master plan for the National drew nearly 2,500 participants to the park in Conservation Center in Costa Rica. 2019, more than doubling in size since 2017. Herrera-Mishler served as co-chair of the • An increasing number of events, which nearly American Society of Landscape Architects tripled to more than 130 events in fiscal year Parks and Recreation Professional Practice 2019. Events brought nearly 608,000 visitors Group, and on the boards of the Buffalo over the last six years, along with an economic and Erie County Botanical Gardens and impact to the region of almost $206 million. the National Association of Olmsted Parks. • Team training visits tripling in number from 2017 He belongs to the World Urban Parks to 2019, with 77 training visits from December Organization and the City Parks Alliance. to June. He is a member of the prestigious Lambda • Profitability at the park, which also grew Alpha International, a global land economic significantly. Working capital doubled over the society. He is a founding board member of the past two years, and profitability of events and Western New York Environmental Alliance. programs diversified SANCA’s revenue. Herrera-Mishler has received many awards Over the past several years, SANCA secured and accolades throughout his career, and was or played host to many events, including three named Preservation Hero 2013 by the Library consecutive World Rowing competitions of American Historic Landscapes. He is most in 2017-2019, the 2019-21 USRowing Youth proud of his 2020 Bob Marley Peace Award National Championships, the 2018, 2021 and given in recognition of his efforts to promote 2022 NCAA college rowing championships, the equity, diversity and inclusion throughout his 2017, 2018 and 2020 ITU World Cup Triathlons career. and Paratriathlons, the 2020 U.S. Dragon Boat Herrera-Mishler holds a master’s degree in Federation National Championships and the landscape architecture and regional planning, 2021 International Dragon Boat Federation Club with a specialization in urban design, from the Crew World Championships. Other events have University of Michigan. l included numerous circuses, fairs, festivals, running events, fundraisers and more.
5 NBP HOKU HELE PADDLE SPORTS NEW TEAM MAKES ITS PRESENCE KNOWN
The newest addition to NBP’s stable of teams is not just for dragon boat paddlers wanting to stay in shape during the pandemic, though they certainly have the opportunity. It’s a chance for individuals to hit the water as singles, doubles and even groups of six, to compete against others across the state, the nation and the world. It’s NBP Hoku Hele, and it’s been making waves for a while now. Get involved Coach Annely Thorstad reports that the team — Want to be a competitor, pit crew named for the Hawaiian phrase for “wandering stars” member or fan? Contact Coach Annely — is competing both in-person and virtually in the last Thorstad at [email protected]. few months. NBP Hoku Hele is part of the NBPerks! Virtual events will be raced at NBP, she said. paddling package, and dragon boat And people who’d like to come out and cheer on team members can join the team for an the competitors, or even man a water station, are additional $15 per month on top of their encouraged to do so. NBPerks membership. “Some of the races you have to replenish water, so you need a pit crew because you don’t have the
PHOTOS COURTESY ANNELY THORSTAD FOR SANCA
Annely Thorstad, Jen Hipson, Kim Kuipers, Rochelle Costello, Neil Martindale and Roberta Martindale placed 51st out of 233 six-person outrigger canoe entries in the November 2019 Another Dam Race.
6 6 water stops,” she said. “So we’ll organize pit crews and we’ll do cheering sections to have someone out there egging you on.” A couple of the big races this year went virtual, presenting an opportunity to do the competition locally — including the Molokai 2 Oahu 16-miler in July, which had 1,700 paddlers. “Instead of being able to go and paddle in Hawaii this year, which was one of our big ones, and the other one was the gorge in Washington, they’re virtual races, so we’re going to do them here,” Thorstad said. There are still in-person races going on, though. “There’s still races happening within the state. It just depends on where we’re at with COVID and what county we’re in,” Thorstad Gary Roby took a first place in August for said. “Since we can do singles, it’s pretty his first race, the Philadelphia Outrigger good. When you go to the races, they’re really Canoe Club Waterman’s Challenge. careful. Everyone’s really good about social distancing, and once you’re on the water, you can’t get close to each other, anyway.” Dragon boat paddlers who still want competition are taking up outrigger canoes and stand-up paddleboards, and joining races, she said. The canoes are a great way to condition for dragon-boat paddling. “It’s really important to have something to train for, to have a goal,” she said. “Because otherwise, we’re just paddling out here for ‘so what?’.” A lot of the skills learned on outrigger canoes transfer to dragon boat paddling, she said. The canoes teach how a paddler’s body affects the boat, and how to steer with a paddle, among Kimberly other things. Learning on an outrigger canoe Carroll brings some “aha moments” to the dragon shows her boat, she added. l vantage point from inside the outrigger canoe.
7 Recent NBP Hoku Hele wins Coming Events Philadelphia Outrigger Canoe Club Waterman’s Challenge (virtual), August Coming Events OC1 Platinum Masters Short Course (4 miles): Gary Roby, first place Sept. 26: K2N Paddle OC1 Women’s Masters (4 miles): Jen Hipson, second place Regatta, OC2 Senior Masters Long Course (9 miles): Greg Thorstad Lake Hernando, and Annely Thorstad, first place organized by the Molokai 2 Oahu Virtual Race, July (16 miles) Central Florida Greg Thorstad and Annely Thorstad participated; this event was not Canoe Club competitive FCPA Crisp Park Race, February Virtual Events (35 boats in short course, plus 22 more in the long course) Paddled at NBP Mixed OC2 short course: Greg Thorstad and Annely Thorstad, first place July 1-Sept. 19: Senior Women’s OC2 short course: Rochelle Costello & Robin Anderson, Port Royal Paddle first place Battle (5K) Women’s OC2 short course: Jen Hipson & Kathleen Dougherty, first place June 1-Aug. 30: FCPA Weeki Wachee Race, February (Raced kayaks 6 miles) Treasure Island First place in their divisions: Greg Thorstad, Patti Carpenter, Tom Pirate Paddle Carpenter, Donna Nepveu and Judy Vye (6.25 m or 3.5m) Second place in their divisions: Annely Thorstad and Jen Hipson Aug. 28-31: Third place in her division: Vicki Carr The Surfrider Another Dam Race, November 2019 Connecticut Virtual Hoku Hele placed 51st in open mixed, with an OC6 team of Annely Five-O (5 miles) Thorstad, Jen Hipson, Kim Kuipers, Rochelle Costello, Neil Martindale Oct. 1-24: Chattajack and Roberta Martindale. There were 233 six-person outrigger canoes. Virtual Race (31 miles) OC1: Single outrigger OC2: Double outrigger OC6: Six-person outrigger
Greg and Annely Thorstad paddle outrigger canoes up the return channel at NBP. 8 COMING EVENTS DATES ANNOUNCED FOR DRAGON NATIONALS
The largest-ever national championship regatta “The U.S. Dragon Boat Federation is excited in the sport of dragon boat paddling is what to produce the 2021 Club Crew National organizers expect for June 2021 on the Florida Championships,” the federation’s president, Suncoast. Andrew Szymanski, said. “This is the first time The U.S. Dragon Boat Federation announced the USDBF will be producing its own national the date and unveiled a logo for its 2021 Club championship event and we are excited to be Crew National Championships at Nathan hosting this event at Nathan Benderson Park, Benderson Park in Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla. one of the world’s premier paddling venues. We The event, to be held July 9-11, 2021, will be expect this event will be the largest national hosted and organized by the federation championships in our organization’s in partnership with Suncoast Aquatic history.” Nature Center Associates (SANCA), Dragon boat racing has been which operates the park, and with an integral component to the Visit Sarasota County and the development of sports tourism and Bradenton Area Convention and programming at Nathan Benderson Visitors Bureau. Park over the last decade. In The federation is the national 2014, Sarasota County welcomed governing body for dragon boat more than 2,500 paddlers for the racing. All of its member clubs and International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ teams are eligible to compete in the 2021 Commission Dragon Boat Festival, which was Club Crew National Championships. This event also the first major international event hosted at will be the sole American qualifier for the 2022 the park. International Dragon Boat Federation Club The park is home to two competitive dragon Crew World Championships, also taking place at boat teams, NBP Survivors in Sync and NBP Nathan Benderson Park. Dragons.
“We are excited to be hosting this event at Nathan Benderson Park, one of the world’s premier paddling venues.”
ANDREW SZYMANSKI, PRESIDENT, U.S. DRAGON BOAT FEDERATION
9 “SANCA is committed to working with the Additionally, event officials predict some teams USDBF to provide the best possible experience may travel to the destination for a training trip in for its clubs,” said Stephen V. Rodriguez, the months leading up to the event. chief operating officer of SANCA at Nathan “Hosting two major dragon boat events in Benderson Park. “We recognize the importance consecutive years provides Sarasota County with of this inaugural event for USDBF and the sport an opportunity to strategically amplify all that of dragon boat racing in the U.S., and we are we are doing with the sport in our destination,” confident there is no better place than Nathan said Shelby Connett, director of sports at Visit Benderson Park to create a first-class stage on Sarasota County. “We look forward to continue which the athletes will perform.” fostering a long-term relationship with the “This is also a great opportunity to expose the USDBF by providing a world-class location and sport to our area residents, and maybe inspire event services that can help the sport continue to some to get up, get out and join one of our grow in the U.S.” community dragon boat program at Nathan The COVID-19 pandemic will be closely Benderson Park,” he added. monitored as planning progresses. Adjustments Visit Sarasota County anticipates the 2021 will be made as necessary, and all parties Club Crew National Championships will provide will develop safety plans that adhere to CDC a boost to Sarasota area businesses during guidelines to ensure risks are minimized for a traditionally slower month for tourism. athletes, spectators, and the local community. l
10 NBP SUMMER CAMPS SCHOOL DELAYS LEAD TO ‘ULTIMATE CAMP’
When both Sarasota and Manatee counties’ The two additional weeks sold out quickly. school systems delayed the start of school The first additional week filled within hours of by three weeks, SANCA leadership put the registration opening, while the second filled in a question to summer camp parents: Would you couple of days’ time. be interested in additional weeks of camp? The camps run as half-day and full-day options, How many? with archery and fishing in the mornings and The result: NBP Ultimate Camp, for two water adventure in the afternoons. The half-day addtional weeks on the park’s camp schedule. options are increasingly popular.
The camp gets its name because it’s an “It’s historically always been a real popular DOUGLAS E. JESSMER/SANCA amalgamation of the most popular summer option,” NBP Program Manager Meghan Farrell camp offerings this year — archery, freshwater said. “It’s probably 50/50, full-day/half-day.” fishing and “water adventure,” which includes And a lot of the kids are repeat campers — a kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and third of this year’s kids attended previous years’ more. camps. l
11 EVENTS
NBP REC DAYS! FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE
PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS E. JESSMER/SANCA
For a growing number of Suncoast families, NBP Rec Day!, which happens every other every other Saturday offers a great opportunity Saturday, gives participants an opportunity to get some time in the sun and on the water. to sample the park on a kayak, stand-up Hundreds of families from across the region — paddleboard, canoe or pedal pontoon boat, or to moms, dads, grandparents and kids alike — have fish from shore or a dock with a rod and reel or a taken to the water at Nathan Benderson Park for cast net. its regular NBP Rec Day! event. “NBP Rec Days was designed to give Sarasota
12 and Manatee county families an affordable Fast facts opportunity to play on our many watercraft Dates: Aug. 22 and future alternate Saturdays while enjoying the park,” said Stephen V. Location: Base of the Benderson Family Finish Rodriguez, chief operating officer of the park’s Tower on NBP’s Regatta Island management, Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Ages: Admission is $10 for youths ages 7-18, free Associates. “Once school gets back in, we will for all other family members. also offer a weekday version of the program— Questions: 941-358-7275 ext. 5812 for homeschooling families or those choosing Online: nathanbendersonpark.org/recdays virtual options during the pandemic — to come out and recreate, like a unique physical education class. It’s all about serving the families in our community.” Camille Prado of Tampa said it was their first Children ages 6-17 are charged $10 per child for time at the park. admission, while their younger siblings and their “We’ve never really had the opportunity to parents are free. Adults without children are also kayak and paddleboard at the same time as a $10 per person. family,” Prado said. “We came to celebrate a “We’ve enjoyed this event,” Tamika Stilley of friend’s birthday, and do something different, Sarasota said. “We noticed this on Facebook, and especially since it’s the outdoors.” we came out as a family to enjoy today.” Prado kayaked while Li paddleboarded. Tony Stilley, her husband, tried out the park’s “We enjoyed it,” Prado said. “The park is great, pedal pontoon boat. the weather’s nice, the attendants are very “I love that one,” he said. “A good leg workout!” helpful, so nothing to complain about. And the Their daughters took to the water solo. price was right.” “I went on the canoe and on a kayak,” Taylin Jaden Randenburg, 11, of Bradenton and his said, while Talia said kayaking solo was “a new little brother, Drew, 5, canoed for their first time. experience for me.” “It was very calming,” Jaden said. l
13 14 EVENTS
NBP SNAPS PHOTO CONTEST AND THE WINNERS...
The NBP SNAPS Photo Contest, a virtual event launched in the wake of the pandemic, gave amateur photographers five categories in which to compete for fan votes — sunrises, sunsets, people, nature, and exercise/sport. The winners, selected by the popular vote on an online gallery, will receive an NBP gift basket, and all entrants will be displayed in the park. Here are the winners and the entrants.
PEOPLE SUNRISE CATEGORY WINNER CATEGORY “Beauty Breaks The Silence” WINNER Jess Graeber, 72 votes “Here Comes The Sun” Jess Graeber, 72 votes PHOTO BY URS WUNDERLI
SUNSET CATEGORY WINNER “Tower NATURE Sunset” CATEGORY Doug WINNER Schwallie, “Fresh Caught 9 votes Snake” Brenda Smith-Myers, 10 votes
15 “Daylight Breaks Forth” Jess SUNRISE CATEGORY Graeber
“Early Sunrise, Nathan Benderson Park” David Cook
“Sunrise Over The Lakes, Nathan Benderson Park” David Cook
“Here Comes The Sun” Elyse Black
“Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay” Elyse Black
16 SUNSET AND PEOPLE CATEGORIES
PEOPLE “Through The Fog, Find Beauty” Jess Graeber
SUNSET “Day Is Done” Elyse Black
SUNSET “Sunset” Kevin Heraty
17 NATURE CATEGORY
“Gator Bait” DiAnne Brown
“Great Blue Heron” Jeannie Comparetto
“Parrots” Kevin Heraty
18 LAST WORD PARK STAFFER HONORED BY HER ALMA MATER
Nathan Benderson Park’s events coordinator team in her junior season, an honor she would — a national champion rower — was recently hold for the remainder of her career. O’Donnell’s honored as the alumna of the month by the leadership paved the way to the Sharks’ sixth athletics department at her alma mater, Nova SSC Championship in 2014, garnering an All-SSC Southeastern University. award and recognition as a Collegiate Rowing Megan O’Donnell was honored Coaches Association All-American in the process, as the college’s January 2020 as her squad finished as runner-up at the 2014 GEICO Alumni of the Month. NCAA Division II Rowing National Championships. A 2015 graduate, she transferred “The constant battle against yourself and your her passion for rowing, fostered teammates, the feeling you get in the boat when at NSU, into a career. everyone is driving the boat together and the She was a four-sport athlete in bond I have created with my teammates will stick high school, but arrived at NSU Megan with me forever,” added O’Donnell. “I have been without any experience in the O’Donnell grateful for everything the sport and NSU has boat. After being recruited to the holds a done for me on an emotional and physical level. Sharks rowing team, the Lake bachelor’s It has pushed me to limits I didn’t think were Worth native immediately fell in degree from possible for myself and my team. The sport has love with the sport. NSU and also taught me to be a morning person, which I “Rowing is a sport unlike two master’s still am to this day.” anything I’ve ever done. The degrees from After graduation, O’Donnell wasn’t ready to teamwork, adversity and hard Clemson. give up the sport, prompting her into a graduate work the sport entails is nothing assistant position as a rowing coach at Clemson. that I ever would’ve imagined it would be,” said She earned a double-masters from Clemson O’Donnell. in athletic leadership and youth development The decision to pursue the sport led to an leadership before coming to NBP. successful career as a student-athlete. After a At the park, she coordinates the rowing teams Sunshine State Conference All-Freshman Team that train at the park, and manages and operates selection in her debut season, O’Donnell and her the logistics of rowing events. teammates not only took home the SSC title, but O’Donnell holds the third-fastest 2K in NSU made school history in capturing the 2013 NCAA history and three top-five national championship Division II national championship during her finishes, including a 2013 national title, 2014 sophomore campaign. The national championship runner-up and a fifth-place result in 2015. was the first for any rowing program in the SSC “In terms of someone who competed at a and the south region, while the Sharks V4 boat national level throughout her time at NSU, never lost to a Division II institution that entire you would be hard pressed to find a more season with O’Donnell in the boat. decorated athlete in the sport,” NSU Coach Devin She was named captain of the NSU rowing Fay said. l
19 PROGRAMS
EQUIPMENT RENTALS AT DAILY RATES TEAM BUILDING • Single and double sit-on-top kayaks Through tailored activities, we get your • Stand-up paddleboards (SUP) team members out of their comfort zones to • Single scull rentals experience how to meet needs through team • Pontoon pedal boats effort and “out of the box” training.
ROWING LESSONS AND TEAM NBP REC DAYS! Learn to Row 101 is an introduction to sculling, Family fun for all! Get a taste of NBP’s and a gateway to NBP Masters Rowing. Learn recreational water offerings — kayaks, canoes, the fundamentals of singles and doubles rowing, paddleboards and more. Offered on alternate and get the tools to transition to sweep rowing. Saturdays. See nathanbendersonpark/recdays
DRAGON BOAT LESSONS AND TEAMS OTHER PROGRAMS NBP offers Dragon Boat 101, designed to teach Camp Gladiator Sarasota the basics of dragon boat paddling and work to Brats Club SRQ Early Childhood Education be part of our teams — the NBP Dragons, NBP Flex Fitness Florida Survivors In Sync and NBP Veterans. Email [email protected] for more info.
Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates Inc. (SANCA), is a not-for-profit 501c3 business created to manage Nathan Benderson Park (NBP), a community/public asset and world-class, multi-use sports venue. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our community and be an economic generator for our region. SANCA’s primary purpose is to develop and promote NBP as a world class event center, team training site and Sarasota County park, while providing outreach programs through recreation, safety training, education and volunteering as a service to our community.
2021 U.S. Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew National Championships 2022 International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships 2019-2021 USRowing Youth National Championships 2019-2021 Florida Scholastic Rowing Assn. State Championships 2022, 2024 USRowing Southeast Regional Championships 2019 Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Assn. Championships 2018 2019 HITS Triathlon Series 2021 2019 Sarasota-Bradenton ITU Triathlon 2022
COUNTY
SUNCOAST AQUATIC NATURE CENTER ASSOCIATES INC. AT NATHAN BENDERSON PARK 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota FL 34235 nathanbendersonpark.org NathanBendersonPark @myNBP #myNBP