Welcome to Manatee County sign on U.S. 41 enhanced, unveiled to community Friday

MANATEE -- An enhanced sign on U.S. 41 will now welcome residents and visitors to Manatee County.

The "Welcome to Manatee County" sign in the 8400 block of North Tamiami Trail and donated in 2004 by the Kiwanis Club of Bradenton, recently received a facelift and was unveiled Friday as part of National Arbor Day events in Manatee.

Enhancements completed by Manatee County government and Keep Manatee Beautiful included repainting the sign, repairing lights and upgrading irrigation and landscaping.

"This is the gateway to Manatee County and look how beautiful it looks today," County Commissioner Robin DiSabatino said.

The unveiling was one of several National Arbor Day events around

Manatee County, including completion of a tree enhancement plan for Bayfront Park's pavilion area in Anna Maria and planting two Geiger trees at Bradenton Beach City Hall.

Officials from Keep Manatee Beautiful, Manatee County government, Florida Forest Service, Florida Department of Transportation and the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization attended the sign unveiling.

"It's a big deal for us," said Chairman Volker Reiss of the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway Committee. "The old sign was OK. This one is beautiful."

It is important to preserve the environment, said Whitney Knepp, vice chairwoman of Keep Manatee Beautiful.

"Trees have always played a crucial role in the long-term health, beauty and vitality of any thriving community," she said. "We, Keep Manatee Beautiful, strive to keep moving forward in efforts of making our community a place to be proud to call home."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 11:20 PM with the headline "Welcome to Manatee County sign on U.S. 41 enhanced, unveiled to community Friday ."