Jiggs Landing shows off new amenities at grand reopening on Saturday

EAST MANATEE -- Jiggs Landing, an old-fashioned fish camp that has been transformed into a modern county park with all the updated amenities, was unveiled in its full glory during a grand reopening Saturday.

The rental cabins on the property at 6106 63rd St. E., are full every weekend, and are also getting use during the week, said Don Collison, who has managed rentals and other concessions since Jan. 7.

Visitors to the park, which is perched on the banks of the 2,400-acre Bill Evers Reservoir, can rent a kayak, buy shiners and crickets as well as other bait, fishing tackle, and drinks and snacks.

Still to come in the near future is a cafe where visitors will be able to buy sandwiches and salads, Collison said.

"This is one of many promises that are always coming true," a relaxed Charlie Hunsicker, director of Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources, said of the long planned rental of the rustic cabins.

"Jiggs Landing gives you an opportunity to look back in time, and to look forward in time," Hunsicker said of the site's long history as a fish camp.

County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh recalled the words of the late Sen. Edgar Price, who had great affection for Jiggs Landing."

"Whenever we could

escape from the demands of work and daily life, my wife, Elise, and I would bring our young son Jerry out here to experience one of Manatee County's hidden treasures. Jiggs and Agnes were always very nice to us and would fix us up with a cabin, where we could spend a night listening to the sounds of nature and the river rather than the noise of the traffic and civilization," Price once said.

Jim and Nancy Schoedler of Sarasota drove to Jiggs Landing Saturday to inspect the new improvements.

"It is an amazing transformation," Nancy Schoedler said.

Karen and Al Hill of Ellenton are renting a cabin at Jiggs Landing for a week.

"It is very quiet and we are very pleased," Karen Hill said.

For information about the park, call 941-727-4181.

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter @jajones1.

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 10:54 PM with the headline "Jiggs Landing shows off new amenities at grand reopening on Saturday ."