Bennett Park nears completion

MANATEE COUNTY — After more than a year of construction, Holland Construction this week will finish work on the first phase of the East County’s newest park.

The 180-acre Tom Bennett Park is expected to open sometime in late August or early September.

“We’re very happy with the project,” Manatee County Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Turner said.

“What we have found during these difficult times is that our parks are being used now more than ever, because it gives families and people an opportunity to do something fun together with no or a nominal fee.”

The park includes a fishing dock, volleyball courts, more than a mile of hiking trails, a multi-purpose field, a tree house playground and a picnic pavilion, as well as a canoe and kayak launch.

Holland Construction Vice President Craig Campbell said the project’s size made it unique, and the company, which designed and built the park, made modifications during construction to save large trees and other unique features of the property.

The project’s second phase, which is contingent on funding, is slated to include a swimming facility with an Olympic-sized pool, basketball courts and an outdoor amphitheater with a lawn that can seat about 5,000 people.

Turner said the county does not have money set aside for the park’s second phase, but it does hope to build park residence for oversight and management of the facility. The item is included in the proposed 2012 Fiscal Year budget.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].