Warm Mineral Springs Park reopens in North Port

NORTH PORT — Hundreds of local residents, snowbirds, and visitors filled Warm Mineral Springs Park in North Port Friday morning, shortly after the gates reopened for patrons following a six-month closure because of Hurricane Ian damage.

The registered historic site features the 84-degree natural spring and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. But the park, owned and now managed by the city of North Port, was closed as Ian approached last September and remained shuttered after the storm caused significant damage.

Visitors and park patrons have been awaiting the park's reopening and showed up early to take advantage of the free entry — a limited-time offer for all visitors as a thank you from the city for the community's patience with the park restoration.

Just after 9:30 a.m., approximately 270 patrons had filed into the park to enjoy the springs. An hour later, Warm Mineral Springs Park staff members had counted a total of 500 visitors.

North Port's parks and recreation marketing and engagement manager, Laura Ansel, welcomed guests as they entered.

"There was a lot of work to be done and a lot of moving factors but we know how passionate many in our community are about being in the water. That has been a great challenge to overcome ... it's wonderful to be able to open those gates again and let people get back into the water that they love," Ansel said.

Among the restoration and damage clean-up projects at the park, Ansel said creating useable restrooms and having running water were crucial to reopening. Visible upgrades include portable trailers for showers, restrooms, and changing as well as the addition of new sidewalks from the parking lot to the waterfront and beach area.

Warm Minerl Springs visitors excited for opening

Angela Bittinger, 40, and her family visited Warm Mineral Springs from the Buffalo, New York, area as part of the family's spring break. Bittinger, her partner Jason Rodriguez and their four children had heard about the reopening of from Rodriguez's father, a part-time Port Charlotte resident. Bittinger said she brought her youngest son to wade in the water for medical reasons.

"We had seen it when we were looking for places on Google to visit and go," Bittinger said. "It's exciting and great to see its back open. My youngest son has asthma, and we've read that the springs have healing qualities so we're going to give it a shot."

Since the 1970s, Irene Schlarb has been visiting Warm Mineral Springs from Canada.

"It hasn't changed much. I've been coming since there used to be a bakery here... We couldn't wait to get over here," Schlarb said.

Irene and her husband Roland visit the springs regularly during their stays during snowbird season in North Port. They walk over from a cottage they rent less than a quarter-mile from the renowned park. They said the park is a big part of not only the recreation community but also a hub of connection for people from all walks of life to get to know one another.

"It's so calm here. People are friendly and it's soothing talking to people. It's just a peaceful place where everyone is together; no one is mad about what's happening in the world here," Schlarb said.

Mary Putnik, 70, worked at the park from 1994 until her retirement in 2018. Putnik had taken a few dips by 10:30 a.m. and was chatting with old friends she's met at the park over the years at the reopening Friday.

"I moved here because of the springs. I love it. People love this place. I've heard and seen many stories about people using the waters to heal," Putnik said.

Putnik plans to return to her three visits weekly to Warm Mineral Springs.

North Port will vote to lower the admission price for visitors to $5 per day for Sarasota County residents and $7 per day for non-residents. The park will continue free admission until April 11 for all visitors.

Check the North Port website for updates about pricing after April 11. For more information visit https://www.northportfl.gov/visitors/visit-north-port/warm-mineral-springs-park.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: North Port's Warm Mineral Springs draws crowd after Ian closure