Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/341318
City and county workers are preparing Lido Key Beach — what is left of it, that is — for the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix on Sunday, July 6. If the crowd size is comparable to last year's figure, 100,000 people will view the races from the dwin- dling beach. The race will occur at high tide, equating to the water level being 1.5 feet higher. While that will be good for the race boats getting in and out of New Pass, that will further com- press the dry beach area. The situation has Lido Key residents worried that the visitors may trample what remains of the dunes along the beach. Carl Shoffstall, p r e s i d e n t o f t h e Lido Key Residents Association, ran into County Commissioner N o r a P a t t e r s o n a t t h e S a r a s o t a C o u n t y C o u n c i l o f N e i g h b o r h o o d Association (CONA) Erosion on Lido Key continues to worsen, resulting in residents' pleas for renourishment. Photo by Norman Schimmel PROTECTING WHAT'S LEFT LIDO RESIDENTS ARE FRETTING OVER THE POTENTIAL FOR SUPER BOAT GRAND PRIX RACE WATCHERS TO TRAMPLE THEIR DUNES My hat's off to the lifeguards, the Sarasota Police officers, the special events folks. They'll do a great job of trying to minimize the impact on the resource. Todd Kucharski General Manager Landscaping, Parks and Environmental Services, City of Sarasota By Stan Zimmerman City Editor