The glow of the setting sun marks the end of the day at Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, which spans 1,932 acres in northern Manatee County.
The preserve was acquired by the state to protect the water resources of Tampa Bay and is managed by the Florida State Parks system. The park offers little in the way of facilities, and be advised: There is no restroom or drinking water on site.
But what the park lacks in comforts, it makes up for it in the beauty of the waterways, hammocks and lush mangroves.
There is a small boat ramp, canoe launch and parking area on the north side of Bishop Harbor Road, where kayakers can take advantage of the three-mile Bishop Harbor Blueway trail, which circles Bishop Harbor and provides access to the Manatee County Terra Ceia paddling trail.
But the sun may be setting on Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, for the Department of Environmental Protection has been asked to cut 15 percent of its budget for the new fiscal year and Terra Ceia is one of two Manatee County state parks that may be on the chopping block as part of a cost-cutting plan.
