Stay Tripping: Be an outdoorsmen, part 3 — Manatee Parks & Recreation
March 25th, 2009 by Brian Ries in News
The third installment from CL’s outdoorsman — yeah, that’s me! — profiles all the glorious parks north of the border, or Manatee, to be exact. has to offer, with particular favorites marked in red. Get further information from the eaasily navigable Manatee County website. Maybe they can teach Sarasota’s web team a thing or two.
BLACKSTONE PARK 2112 14th Ave. W., Palmetto. Along with a plethora of sports fields and athletic facilities, Blackstone has Palmetto’s only sk8 park.
BOTANICAL GARDEN PARK 9800 17th Ave. N.W., Bradenton. This cute spot has a butterfly garden and gazebo.
BRADEN RIVER PARK 5201 51st St. E., Bradenton. The usual assortment of sports and recreation for the little ’uns.
Many more after the break:
BUFFALO CREEK PARK 7550 69th St. E., Ellenton. Along with basketball, softball, baseball, soccer and football, there’s a dedicated area for your pups.
EAST BRADENTON PARK 1119 13th St. E., Bradenton. This massive complex has all the usual stuff, but people flock in the summer to the park’s fun splash and swimming area.
EMERSON POINT PARK 5801 17th St. W., Palmetto. Emerson Point is one of those places you think can’t exist in our over-developed area. An extensive plot of land that juts out into the intersection of Tampa Bay and the Manatee River, it easily has the best views of the water and Skyway Bridge that you can find outside a penthouse. Extensive trails, lookout towers and beaches dot the park and it’s long enough for a good bike ride form the entrance to the beach. Manatee County also hosts monthly — and free — nature classes for kids at Emerson Point.
G.T. BRAY PARK 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton. Easily the biggest recreation complex in Manatee, Bray is host to every kind of sport, skate, splash and other park activity you can think of, with dogs welcome.
LAKEWOOD RANCH PARK 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton. The usual assortment of fields and courts, with a playground area.
LEFFIS KEY Bradenton Beach. An extensive, undeveloped area of marshland, dunes and tidal pools with walking trails, boardwalks and a giant hill offering panoramic views of the area.
PALMA SOLA CAUSEWAY PARK Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Popular fishing spot where you can drop a line right into Palma Sola Bay.
RYE WILDERNESS PARK 751 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish. This huge conservancy area offers nature and horseback trails, tent camping, canoe launch and more.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:52 am
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