Big expansion planned for Robinson Preserve in Northwest Bradenton
MANATEE -- Since Robinson Preserve opened in 2008, senior ranger Randy West and his team have been working to transform the preserve into what is today the second-most popular place in Manatee County.
This summer, the 487-acre preserve in Northwest Bradenton is set to be transformed further with a 150-acre expansion, turning farmland into more nature trails, marshes, emergent islands, a canopy walk and an environmental and education center. In 2014, more than 350,000 visitors went to the preserve, trailing only local beaches as an attraction.
"I think it is going to open up more space," West said. "We are really packed. ...It will gives us a little more space to maneuver."
The estimated $8.8 million expansion is on the southeast edge of the preserve at 1704 99th St. NW. It's expected to begin this summer and construction is expected to take two years, with planting taking place in the third and fourth years, said Charlie Hunsicker, director of the county's parks and natural resources department.
"I'm really lookin'g forward and privileged to be a part of this public service that we are going to be providing here," Hunsicker said. "We have a great partner and her name is Mother Nature."
In 2005, Northwest Bradenton resident Sam Starrett began volunteering at the preserve before it opened to the public by planting shrubbery. Starrett still volunteers at the preserve today, and looks forward to the expansion.
"It's going to be good," Starrett said. "Anytime we can preserve more space for people to enjoy that's good." Since the county is still in the request for proposal process, the exact cost and timeline of construction are not finalized, said Hunsicker, who has previously said construction could begin in May. Nick Azzara, Manatee County spokesman, said negotiations will begin with the first-ranked firm.
Grants will pay for the construction, including a projected $3.2 million from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, phosphate severance funds for the environmental center construction and supporting facilities and Tree Trust funds for some of the plants, Hunsicker said. They also will avail themselves to any other funding related to the BP oil spill.
The expansion plans, which include a 1,700-square foot education center, will include more than 130 acres of habitats created from farm fields, including mangrove, highlands and kayak tunnels. There will also be two trails, including a 1.6-mile, twice-around trail that will be surfaced in a soft running surface similar to a collegiate track. One of the two new trails will only be for walkers and runners, Hunsicker said.
A second entrance to access the expansion area will be at Ninth Avenue Northwest along 99th Street Northwest.
"There is room for all recreation desires to co-exist peacefully because of the size of the preserve," Hunsicker said.
The Robinson Preserve expansion is not the only work the county is doing at its preserves. Perico Preserve, which is in its final phase of construction along Anna Maria Sound, should be completed in September; and Ungarelli Preserve along Palma Sola Bay should be opened by June, Hunsicker said.
Robinson Preserve is also recognized by federal and state agencies as a destination, and Hunsicker said the same will be true of the preserve after the expansion.
"I have a lot of confidence that this next phase will be there in the same field," he said. "We are humbled by the success because we try our best with the available science and knowledge of how to make it right, but the power that makes it right in the end comes from Mother Nature, not us. It is wrong to take credit for such mysteries of nature."
New education center
Western Manatee County lacks true environmental centers, Hunsicker said, and The Mosaic Center for Nature Exploration, Science and Technology at the preserve will be able to fill that need. The Mosaic Company Foundation won naming rights to the center after it gave $3.2 million to Conservation Foundation of Gulf Coast, which purchased the property for the expansion and then donated it to Manatee County.
"We will be opening up this environmental center which is open classroom experience, air conditioned, but designed to bring to all ages from preschool to senior learning the life-long learning that we can benefit from and understanding our place in our home environment -- not the Rocky Mountains, not the South Florida Everglades but right here along the coast of Manatee County," he said.
The treehouse type structure will be a home for the great programs in addition to the outdoors, said Melissa Nell, manager of the volunteer and education division for Manatee Parks and Natural Resources Department.
"The idea behind this space is certainly one where environmental education will happen, but we also want to make it a space where we can engage in all senses," Nell said. "We all see it as a gathering place for the entire community. ... We are really looking at creating a space that is based on community."
West, the park's senior ranger, echoed that anticipation.
"I think that is going to be the biggest excitement," West said. "People like new and exciting. I think it is going to be pretty special."
A favorite for residents
Debbie Lansing, who lives down the road from Robinson Preserve, tries to come to the park every day. Lansing, who also volunteers at Robinson, particularly enjoys the preserve's unpaved trails.
"It is nice to see people out here enjoying it," Lansing said. "The county has done a superb job in putting this whole thing together."
For Starrett, who comes out to the preserve at least once a day, the kayak paths are among his favorite part of the preserve. Starrett also enjoys walking, running, biking and walking his dogs at the preserve.
"The wildflowers are very, very impressive," Starrett said.
Bradenton resident Ranie Phillips is part of a group of women who come to the preserve every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 a.m. to exercise. On Thursday, Phillips was enjoying the preserve with fellow Bradenton residents Kathy Zeller and Krista Bloomberg.
"We love it," Phillips said of the preserve. "We cherish it every day."
With the benches and bridges at the preserve, they can also do circuit training.
"We are so lucky to have it," Bloomberg said.
When asked why she prefers working out at the preserve, Zeller said, "Being outside is heaven."
Volunteers vital
This July will mark eight years since Bradenton residents Charles Taylor and Tom Roeack began volunteering at Robinson Preserve. When they began, the two retirees did not know each other, but today they are good friends.
Taylor said volunteering at the preserve has allowed him to meet "people from all walks of life."
As volunteers, they are responsible for tasks including maintaining the trails, planting and removing invasive plants and trees.
"It's a real joy to be able to come out," Roeack said. "It's rewarding to see our efforts of years of planting and see the preserve growing up and expanding. It is a joy to be here and have something to do that is both rewarding and is helping the community and county."
Roeack, who has always loved the outdoors, said he can interact with nature and other people while volunteering. Roeack is looking forward to the new education center at the preserve.
"It should be nice to get our education center in, new lakes and a new kayak launch," Roeack said.
As he looked around at the volunteers working last week, West said they've all become friends through the years. For West, this camaraderie is one of his favorite aspects of his job as the preserve's senior ranger.
"The relationships we've built with the volunteers," West said. "We work with these guys and they've all pitched in to transform this place into the most popular place in Manatee County -- after the beach."
Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024 or at caronson@bradenton.com. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.
This story was originally published April 26, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Big expansion planned for Robinson Preserve in Northwest Bradenton."