$2.8 million restoration project will close parts of Robinson Preserve for seven months
The final phase of expansion and improvement is coming to Robinson Preserve later this month, which will force parts of the park to close for about seven months.
Starting May 26, Manatee County’s Parks and Natural Resources Department will oversee a 135-acre restoration project that involves adding more native plants to the area, enhancing fishery habitats and increasing the number of park amenities in the area. The public will still be allowed to access all other trails and the Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science and Technology (the NEST).
“Bringing the last phase of environmental construction to completion at Robinson Preserve meets a pledge we make every day to our community to prioritize environmental restoration and coastal water quality improvement in ways that allow the public to renew their connections with nature, reaffirm their own health and wellness and proudly share these experiences with family, friends and visitors from around the world,” Charlie Hunsicker, director of Parks and Natural Resources, said in a statement.
The $2.8 million project is funded by grants, including a $1.5 million contribution from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, as a result of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill and $500,000 from the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“This phase of our restoration serves as an affirmation that out of the catastrophic fire and oil spillage from the Deep Water Horizon disaster, we can apply funding from NOAA and other government partners in Robinson Preserve to create a resilient and diverse water quality environment today and for all generations to follow,” Hunsicker said.
New pavilions, benches, restrooms, kayak storage tubes and trail-side shade structures will be installed as part of the restoration project on the eastern side of Robinson Preserve. It should be complete around December.
