NEW! Stroll Down Old Main Street SRQ

This is a new walk for the 2025-2026 season.

Starting at Selby 5 Points Park, under the clock, there will be a short history of 5 Points, including photos of it in the 1890s and then as it appeared in he 1960s and 70s.

The hub of Sarasota until the 1960s was 5 Points and downtown then shopping centers and later malls took business away and left it nearly deserted.

The walk is from 5 Points east to Osprey Ave. and then returning. We'll look at buildings that still exist, photos of those that have been torn down and I'll fill you in with my memories of growing up in downtown Sarasota during that transition period between the decline of downtown and the revitalization that occurred in the late 70s and 80s.

On the return we can stop at Roasters Coffee for a cup of java.

The address given is 1565 1st Street, but that puts you on the opposite end of Selby 5 Points Park. Try One Central Ave., Sarasota, 34236. There are parking garages on Palm Ave and State Street. Gulfstream Ave has free parking for 3 hours on Sundays.

SEASONAL POLICY: If you sign up for this group then change your RSVP to not going, you must give at least a 36 hour notice prior to the event or it'll be counted as a No Show. The reason is that I have long waiting lists and, if you wait until the last minute to drop out, the next person on the wait list will either have made other plans or won't have enough time to make the event. Please be considerate and think of other members when changing your RSVP.