Osprey

About Osprey

Located in Sarasota County, Osprey is an unincorporated community on the Intracoastal Waterway just south of Sarasota and north of Venice. Around 7,000 residents call Osprey home, and they relish its stellar weather, fishing, boating, and quick access to Gulf of Mexico beaches.

But there’s much more to Osprey than boats and the seashore. Oscar Scherer State Park is right in town for a lush green getaway and with a freshwater lake. The 18-mile paved Legacy Trail connecting Sarasota and Venice runs through the park. Great public schools, spectacular recreation, and proximity to Sarasota make Osprey a wonderful home.

Osprey History

Another Osprey treasure is the Botanical Gardens at Historic Spanish Point, now called the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. In addition to local and worldwide tropical flora, botany research, exhibitions, and exquisite grounds, the Spanish Point site preserves an archaeological record that spans 5,000 years of local history.

Fast-forward to the 19th century, the Webb family arrived in 1867, purchased land, and became citrus and sugar cane growers. On a rise above Little Sarasota Bay, they built a homestead named Spanish Point. Some 50 years later, a wealthy Chicago widow by the name of Bertha Palmer purchased the land and built a vast winter estate she named Osprey Point. Her heirs funded the one-of-a-kind archaeological site excavation.

Today, the 30-acre National Register of Historic Places living museum is a must-see many times over for locals, tourists, and newcomers alike.

Living and Working in Osprey

Osprey residents love the safe, quiet neighborhoods and daily sunsets. As you might expect from its waterside locale, housing prices are more than double the national average. Options run the gamut in style and price, from multi-million-dollar waterfront mansions and high-rise condos with a view to modest single-family dwellings and mobile homes. Most residents own their own homes, and more than half the population is over 55.

For families, the highly rated Sarasota County Schools operates public education, with Pine View School in Osprey recognized nationally for its excellence. Osprey residents pursue careers locally or in Sarasota in healthcare, tourism, education, finance and insurance, real estate, and manufacturing.

Things to do in Osprey

Osprey is a water lover’s paradise. Siesta Key, Turtle, and Nokomis beaches are local favorites. Dock at Casey Key Marina. Launch your kayaks at Blackburn Point Park, where there’s also a boat launch. Spend the day at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Historic Spanish Point. Oscar Scherer State Park, where bald eagles mate, has camping or glamping, biking, birding, kayaking, fishing, and swimming or snorkeling in freshwater Osprey Lake.

A day trip to Myakka River State Park gets you a taste of undeveloped Florida with live oaks, palms, turtles, and alligators. Explore Venice and Sarasota if you love theater, opera, symphonies, and ballet. Sarasota has a variety of museums including the Classic Car Museum and the Ringling, where there’s an art museum, two circus museums, and Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringling mansion.

Osprey Transportation

Major arteries serving Osprey are U.S. 41, aka Tamiami Trail, aka the Trail, plus I-75 is just east of town. Bus routes and trolleys are operated by Sarasota County Area Transit Breeze.

Resources for Moving to Osprey

People’s Gas provides natural gas and Florida Power & Light electricity. Contact County of Sarasota for water services.

Osprey is great for water lovers, growing families, empty nesters, and retirees. Year-round recreation and relaxation, great schools, and proximity to Sarasota make it a truly coveted place to call home.