Myakka marks backcountry with numbered posts

Park visitors who venture into Myakka’s extensive backcountry will notice an important new wayfinding feature: Trail intersections are now marked with numbered posts.

With nearly 200 miles of trails, Myakka’s backcountry offers an unparalleled and increasingly rare opportunity to experience expansive Wild Florida ecosystems. But to date, most park visitors did not venture into the backcountry, largely due to a lack of clear wayfinding and trail markers.

In the past, many park visitors who ventured out to the backcountry got lost, which resulted in a negative and potentially dangerous experience for them and also created a substantial drain on park resources. 

Over the past few weeks, Friends of Myakka River and Florida Park Service volunteers have placed 192 unique trail markers to aid navigation. As each marker is a unique point identifier, park rangers will now be able to locate easily those who are lost or need assistance.

Fabricated by MC Metal Works, a Sarasota-based small business, the laser-cut markers were custom designed for the park. They are intentionally unobtrusive, so as not to detract from Myakka’s wild and scenic vistas. 

To protect sensitive ecosystems, they have no painted or plastic parts that could deteriorate and pollute the environment. 

Since the majority of Myakka’s backcountry natural communities are fire dependent, the markers are aluminium, which are fireproof and don't combust. They’ll therefore be able to withstand the park’s required regular schedule of prescribed burns.

This impactful project was made possible by a Two for the Trails grant from Athletic Brewing Company, awarded to Friends of Myakka River. 

Named after co-Founder and CEO Bill Shufelt's family tradition of taking two brews to toast post-trail adventures, this grant program donates up to $2 million annually to nonprofits working to protect and restore local trails, waterways and urban green spaces around the world. 

To further enhance accessibility to the park's off-the-beaten-path areas, four trailhead kiosks with maps will soon be installed. 

But even without a map, the markers already add value to those who get turned around in the backcountry: All markers were placed with the number facing south, in the northwest corner of intersections.

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we're protecting and sharing Myakka's Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsofMyakkaRiver