FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 12, 2014
3 STATE PARKS TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING IN MANATEE COUNTY
~The public is
invited to share input on the land management plans~
ELLENTON - Join the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service for a
public workshop and presentation of the updates to the management plans for Madira Bickel Mound State
Archaeological Site, Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park and Judah P. Benjamin
Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park. The meeting will be held Wednesday,
Nov. 19 in Palmetto, Florida.
Madira Bickel Mound State Archaeological
Site is just under 10 acres and protects the National Register-listed Madira
Bickel Mound, Florida’s first designated state archaeological site.
Proposed
updates for this park include the
addition of a small picnic pavilion in the park for visitor use and the
addition of two new interpretive kiosks. One kiosk is for the Prine Mound and the other is for
the Madira Bickel Ceremonial Mound. These kiosks will enhance visitor
understanding and appreciation for these archaeological sites in the park.
Cockroach
Bay Preserve State Park is a 615-acre
park only accessible by boat within the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserve. The
park provides habitat for two endangered plant species, seven shorebird
species and the Florida manatee. It also provides protection for Little Cockroach Key archaeological
site, which is considered eligible for the National Register of Historic
Places.
Proposed updates for this park
include the placement of interpretive information at county
boat ramps located at the end of Cockroach Bay Road and in Domino Park to inform
visitors about the history and sensitivity of the park and how to protect
the park while enjoying the peace and solitude it offers.
Judah P. Benjamin Confederate
Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park is a 32-acre park that protects
the remaining portion of the original 3,500-acre pre-Civil War plantation and
the mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Proposed updates for this park
include the addition of a kitchen facility at the current large
picnic area, the repurposing of space in the visitor center for a
bridal changing room and the addition of two small covered picnic pavilions in
the mansion portion of the park. In addition, proposed changes include the construction of a small restroom, small picnic
pavilion, a parking area and improvements to a hiking trail found at the
northern part of the park that contains the sugar mill ruins.
There will also be an advisory group meeting held on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. at the visitors center at the Judah P.
Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park.
The public
notice, agenda and draft plan are available online. Copies may also be obtained by contacting Kevin Kiser, park manager, at 941-721-6747, Kevin.Kiser@dep.state.fl.us.
Pursuant
to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring
special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to
advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting the park manager.
If
you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida
Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
WHAT: Public Workshop
WHEN: Nov. 19, 2014
7 p.m.
WHERE: Palmetto City Hall 516 8th Ave. West Palmetto, FL 43221
WHAT: Advisory Group Meeting
WHEN: Nov. 20, 2014
9 a.m.
WHERE: Visitors Center at Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial Gamble Plantation Historic State Park 3708 Patten Ave. Ellenton, FL 34222
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