MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County leaders have embarked on a mission to enhance the outdoor experience for residents and visitors and expand green spaces in the county.
Some upgrades have already happened at the Robinson Preserve which will eventually include miles of trails linking to area counties.
At the 420-acre preserve located in North Bradenton, an ongoing 150-acre expansion and restoration process includes efforts to reestablish creeks along the lower Tampa Bay for marine life, especially fish hatcheries and recreational activities to thrive.
"I'd like to try the canoe sometime I hear they have the canoe canoeing is going to be a wonderful experience," John Ozolins, a Manatee County resident, said.
"I see a lot of birds and I see a lot of fish and I see a few people," Chris G. of Bradenton said.
Upgraded from seven to 22 feet in width, the 1.6-mile fully aligned rubberized trail system has become a big attraction.
"Just the rubber track. The rubber track here is really good on our bones and our whole bodies," Dianna Conrad, a Manatee County resident, said.
"It's spongy and feels like you got a pair of Sketchers or something on and just additional padding," Conrad added.
"I like the fact that it's soft on your feet and I refer to it as running the sponge," Chris echoed.
The preserve also has plenty of room for other nature and outdoor activities like cycling.
"You can do it here, but doing it on the streets around here is pretty much a death wish," Chris said.
With about 300 people visiting the preserve daily and around 200,000 yearly, county officials said the funding for upgrades and long-term investments would ensure that publicly owned green spaces are protected for both residents and tourists, as well as future generations.
"There are 19 locations that make up almost 30 acres of preserves. Every one of them is self-sufficient relative to recreation sanitation safety trails," Charlie Hunsicker of Manatee County Natural Resources said.
County leaders have also recently approved more than $2 million towards a 25-mile trail that would connect nearby Perrico Preserve and link to other counties. That effort is a part of the Gateway Greenway Multipurpose Trail System.
"Between parks and preserves we are investing nearly $100 million in all of our systems," Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said.
"When visitors come to town, we don't just want them going down to the beach. We want them to see what Manatee County is about and what it was like 100 years ago," he added.
"When visitors come to locations like this, we ask if you would take a moment to leave the hurry behind, be able to walk about on the trails that we provide, and experience the wonderful elements of nature," Hunsicker said.
"What a great thing to have right here to the public," Ozolins added.
According to Manatee County officials, once a design is agreed upon, the construction of the first mile of the Gateway Greenway Trail system in the county will begin around January next year.
"This is a good deal. This is a good deal," Chris concluded.