Sarasota in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Meadows
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 10, 2026
1. The Meadows Marker, Side One
Inscription.
The Meadows. . , In 1973, Sir Frank Taylor of Taylor Woodrow Construction purchased the Newburn Ranch in unincorporated Sarasota County. On November 14, 1974, Sarasota County approved the development plan for The Meadows. The Meadows was one of the first Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) in Sarasota County. The developers created plans for arterial roads, flood control, schools, fire stations. wastewater treatment and commercial facilities requiring approval from multiple local, regional, state and federal agencies. The community became a model for other developments that followed. , The Meadows Country Club opened in 1976; the Racquet Club opened in 1977. In 2018, The Meadows Community Association (MCA) purchased the assets of the club to preserve green space in perpetuity. The MCA began the Renaissance Access Program and built a new community lifestyle wellness facility for residents., Today. The Meadows consists of approximately 3,500 residential properties, country club, shopping village. plus Aviva Senior Living and The Meadows Center for Nursing and Healing facilities. There are 52 property owner associations, which include a mix of condominiums and single-family homes, plus nine additional neighborhoods directly affiliated with the MCA. In addition to community amenities such as golf, pickleball and dining, residents enjoy close access to University Town Center shops and restaurants, Benderson Park International Rowing Center and hiking trails and Mote Science Education Aquarium. Nearby Ed Smith Stadium allows residents to attend Major League Baseball games during the spring training season. Proximity to downtown Sarasota offers convenient access to museums, theaters and beaches. The nearby airport (SRQ) and Interstate 75 allow residents and visitors to travel beyond The Meadows to explore the beauty of Florida, United States and other locales. The lifestyle vision that began in 1973 continues to evolve with the active support of the community's Board of Directors, staff and its many volunteers.
In 1973, Sir Frank Taylor of Taylor Woodrow
Construction purchased the Newburn Ranch in
unincorporated Sarasota County. On November 14,
1974, Sarasota County approved the development
plan for The Meadows. The Meadows was one of the
first Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) in
Sarasota County. The developers created plans for
arterial roads, flood control, schools, fire stations.
wastewater treatment and commercial facilities requiring approval from
multiple local, regional, state and federal agencies. The community
became a model for other developments that followed.
The Meadows Country Club opened in 1976; the Racquet Club opened in
1977. In 2018, The Meadows Community Association (MCA) purchased the
assets of the club to preserve green space in perpetuity. The MCA began
the Renaissance Access Program and built a new community lifestyle
wellness facility for residents.
Today. The Meadows consists of approximately 3,500
residential properties, country club, shopping village.
plus Aviva Senior Living and The Meadows Center for
Nursing and Healing facilities. There are 52 property
owner associations,
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which include a mix of
condominiums and single-family homes, plus nine
additional neighborhoods directly affiliated with the
MCA. In addition to community amenities such as golf,
pickleball and dining, residents enjoy close access to
University Town Center shops and restaurants, Benderson Park
International Rowing Center and hiking trails and Mote Science Education
Aquarium. Nearby Ed Smith Stadium allows residents to attend Major League
Baseball games during the spring training season. Proximity to downtown
Sarasota offers convenient access to museums, theaters and beaches. The
nearby airport (SRQ) and Interstate 75 allow residents and visitors to
travel beyond The Meadows to explore the beauty of Florida, United States
and other locales. The lifestyle vision that began in 1973 continues to
evolve with the active support of the community's Board of Directors,
staff and its many volunteers.
Erected 2026 by Sarasota County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1973.
Location. 27° 21.369′ N, 82° 28.861′ W.
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 10, 2026
2. The Meadows Marker, Side Two
Marker is in Sarasota, Florida, in Sarasota County. It is at the intersection of Longmeadow and Glebe Farm Road, on the left when traveling north on Longmeadow. Marker can be found in the parking area of the country club. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2004 Longmeadow, Sarasota FL 34235, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on July 27, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
