First phase of Robinson Preserve expansion to open to the public in February

The first phase of Robinson Nature Preserve’s long-awaited expansion is nearing completion, and county officials hope it’s open to the public in mid-February.

The Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science and Technology will have its grand-opening, ribbon-cutting event from 4-6 p.m. Feb. 16.

The center is part of the preserve’s first phase of expansion that comprises an elevated classroom, restrooms, boardwalk and ramp connecting the buildings and all underground and surface utilities and roadways, says project construction manager Tom Yarger.

Work has been underway for over a year on expanding the existing 487-acre preserve, which opened in 2008 off 99th Street NW in Northwest Bradenton.

Construction of the park’s 150-acre expansion, announced in August 2016, has hit snags along the way that pushed back the schedule.

The first-phase elevated complex was slated to be open by October but is now expected to be completed by the end of January, in time for the Feb. 16 grand opening, said Melissa Nell, Manatee County parks and natural resources division manager.

Most of the setbacks, Nell said, were thanks to Mother Nature.

“We are so excited to bring this to the community,” Nell said. “It’s been wonderful to watch it get created, but also a little disappointing that it hasn’t come as quickly as we thought.”

The 2017 hurricane season, which only officially wrapped up last month, was one of the busiest Florida has seen in recent years.

A tornado touched down close to the complex in August during Hurricane Emily. That was followed by Hurricane Irma in September, and both affected construction.

Despite the setbacks, Nell said the park staff is excited to see the complex come to fruition.

They’re not the only ones.

Residents flock to the preserve daily, whether it’s to walk the trails, take photos or go on bike rides. Some venture out with their pets and others visit for kayak outings.

Whatever brings them there, park visitors agree the expansion is not only good, but sorely needed in a time of constant development.

Gordon Govalet says he moved to southwest Bradenton from Rhode Island about three years ago, and visits the preserve a couple of times a month to walk the trails and take pictures of the park’s birds.

“My first thought (about the expansion) was, ‘Oh crap! Another development,’ and then come to realize it’s not,” Govalet said. “And there is so much destruction, so any expansion that preserves nature I am well in favor of.”

For Mathilde Apecechea, who moved to Florida about a year ago from Bordeaux, France, the preserve’s importance is about a lot of things.

Apecechea is a freelance photographer and visits the park often to capture pictures of nature and animals. But she also loves it for the peace and quiet it offers away from a busy city.

“Where I’m from in France, we don’t have this many different kinds of animals,” Apecechea said. “And I love to come here because it’s quiet, and beautiful. It’s my favorite park. I think it’s so great that they’re expanding it.”

Making the park bigger, along with offering educational services for children, is vitally important, Apecechea said.

While the county has requested state funding of up to $600,000 to complete the project, the total cost of the 150-acre expansion — which includes the elevated classroom, restrooms and boardwalk — is estimated at $9 million.

To learn more about the preserve, visit the park’s Facebook page.

This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 12:37 PM with the headline "First phase of Robinson Preserve expansion to open to the public in February."