Published: Thursday, Jun. 18, 2009

Updated: Thursday, Jun. 18, 2009

Braden River's ecological health good and good for business

Last in a five-part series

By SARA KENNEDY

skennedy@bradenton.com

MANATEE

In 2003, television personality Al Roker called it among the top five weirdest restaurants in America.

In 2007, Forbes Magazine listed it among the “most unusual restaurants in the world.”

Welcome to Linger Lodge Restaurant & RV Resort, one of the most venerable businesses on the banks of the Braden River.

It caught the fancy of Sen. Mike Bennett, whose first visit there was in 1956.

Now Bennett is among a group of investors who own the property.

“It’s an Old Florida restaurant, sitting on the banks of a beautiful river and a beautiful setting,” explained Bennett. “And it’s got the best hush puppies in town. They’re my recipes.”

But the venerable resort, which also offers a campground and RV park, is facing financial trouble.

“All restaurants are off, RV parks are off, we’re like every other business, we’re way off,” said Bennett. “I hope we can generate enough to stay open. Frankly, tell your readers to come out and eat at Linger Lodge, I hope more people can kayak and canoe up there.

“I hope it’ll kick up business.”

Linger Lodge, at 7205 Linger Lodge Road, has always depended upon the river’s charms to draw people to it. It recently added kayaks and canoes for rent so people can take a closer look at the river’s luscious foliage and abundant wildlife.

Other commercial operations include trailer parks, new housing developments, nursery acreage, and farm, citrus and cattle enterprises. People operate small businesses from their homes along the river, too.

It’s a balancing act, since an increasing human population tends to encroach upon its wild habitat. So far, the river seems to be in relatively good ecological health, scientists say.

“The saltwater portion of the Braden River is in very good condition, in terms of habitat,” said Ernie Estevez, director of Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Coastal Ecology and a specialist who has studied tidal rivers all over the world.

“Of all the rivers that flow to Tampa Bay, it has the highest density of wetlands. Acre for acre, the Braden River has more mangroves and salt marshes than any of the other rivers,” said Estevez.

He should know, since he’s lived on the river’s edge for 23 years. Estevez’s property is near 39th Avenue on the west bank of the river, north of the Scout Camp Honi Hanta.

Bill Halstead, a retired marine biologist, has resided 21 years on the river’s upper portion, near Linger Lodge.

When he first moved there 21 years ago, Lakewood Ranch did not yet exist. But even once housing developments started appearing along its banks, the river seemed to welcome its human neighbors without showing much damage.

“From my perception, yes, the river is relatively healthy,” he said.

What has changed, Halstead thinks, is the number of terrestrial animals, such as bobcats, panthers, foxes and otters.