Projects & Events

The Friends of the Little Manatee River State Park have been involved in many projects and events over the years, all aimed to benefit the park directly.

Projects

The Friends most recent and major project has been the development of a day use equestrian parking lot. Our goal has been to make the riding experience in the park a higher quality one for rider and horse by providing a good trail access point for more riders.

Hundreds of volunteer hours and many thousands of dollars have gone into getting the parking lot to a useable condition. In the future, many more volunteer hours and dollars will be used to add improvements such as a picnic area, fencing, water lines, signage and plantings.

Working with the park manager and staff, the friend's future projects will include stable improvements in the equestrian camping area and informational signage and kiosks related to cultural aspects of the park and area

In addition to capital improvement projects, the Friends also have several on going projects. From maintaining riding trails to splitting firewood, work and fun go hand in hand to aid the park.

Events

The Friends puts on several events during the year to aid in fundraising and to promote park awareness and attendance. Major events include:

Mystery Map Event:
Annually in October

This fun annual event gives riders, paddlers and hikers a chance to match the trail time of a "mystery" person to win cash and other prizes. You'll manuver through a set of fun, themed challenges that may test your skills or your brain as you complete the course. There will be music and food. Top the other bids in the silent auction and you may take home a great gift as well. It's all for fun and to support the Little Manatee River State Park.

For more information on this year's event, save this pdf to your computer.