New Perico Preserve opens to bring 'God's glory' to Manatee County
MANATEE
Manatee County's newest conservation land, Perico Preserve, opened its gates at 9 a.m. Saturday giving residents and visitors yet another place to enjoy the natural habitats people love in the area.
About 150 people attended as Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, officially welcomed its first guests with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the release of an osprey and red-shouldered hawk back into the wild.
As the day wore on with blue skies and temperatures rising well into the 80s, visitors continued to make their way to the new preserve.
Many said they came to experience the preserve's
beauty with family and loved ones.
"The tranquility is amazing," Michael Montemarano said. "It really brings out God's glory."
Montemarano sat near the front of the preserve enjoying the views while his wife and adult daughter explored the trail.
"I can't keep up with them," he said.
Nevertheless, the preserve did not disappoint him.
"Mankind needs this," he added.
His wife, Dianna Montemarano, and daughter, Tina Reinke, made their way around the entire preserve, stopping along the way to take photos.
"It's gorgeous," Reinke said as she took yet another picture with her smart phone. "I'm excited this is here."
Her mother said she was also taken aback by its beauty. A frequent visitor to nearby Robinson's Preserve, Dianna Montemarano said she was happy to have another beautiful preserve to enjoy.
Parks and Natural Resources Department Director Charles A. Hunsicker, among the officials present, stuck around for a couple hours marveling at the great turnout and watching others enjoy Perico Preserve's beauty.
"It's been a wonderful experience for residents and visitors who want to capture the essence of what the Southwest Florida coastal habitats are about," Hunsicker said. "We have freshwater systems. We have created a saltwater basin for growing out seagrass."
Hunsicker pointed to a bird blind not far from the entrance. The blind allows for bird watching without being intrusive to the feathered attractions.
In another effort to reduce disturbance and allow visitors better chances to observe wildlife in their natural habitats, bikes are not allowed in the back portion of the preserve.
Roy and Jane Thompson said they were enjoying the "beautiful" trail to the west side of the preserve that take visitors under a canopy of greenery before emerging over a second wooden bridge over water.
"I think the design is ideal," he said. "I like the layout of it. It's laid out well so people can really enjoy it."
An amateur bird watcher, she clutched a pair of binoculars. The couple saw several bird species, they said.
Kate Siegl was pushing her bicycle after enjoying a ride through the permitted part of the preserve.
"I like to have dirt trails to ride on instead of asphalt," Siegl said. "The bridges are nice, too."
A frequent visitor to other local preserves, she it was nice to have another pretty place to ride or visit.
"It's going to be nice once it all grows in," Siegl added.
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049.
This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 11:15 PM with the headline "New Perico Preserve opens to bring 'God's glory' to Manatee County ."