Manatee Public Beach will see about $19,000 in landscaping improvements beginning this month, followed by about $31,000 in landscaping improvements at Coquina Beach beginning in December.
The Manatee County Board of Commissioners, meeting Oct. 26 in Bradenton, unanimously approved $49,966 in spending from the county’s tree trust fund for the projects at the public beaches, sites of ongoing improvements in recent years.
At Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, the parks and recreation department plans to install irrigation upgrades and to plant three gumbo limbos, two pigeon plums, one red bay and 40 sabal palms to spruce up the parking lot, trolley stop and concession area.
At Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, the parks department plans to plant six gumbo limbos, seven pigeon plums, three Florida red bays, three sand live oaks and 60 sabal palms, along with the installation of irrigation.
Other improvements also are under way at the county-run beaches, include the construction of a new marine-rescue headquarters at Coquina Beach Bayside and the addition of game tables, rest stops, recycling receptacles and solar-powered lights at Coquina Beach.
At Manatee Public Beach, where a new concessionaire is operating the restaurant, gift shop and beach amenities, improvements have included some painting and the renovation of the pancake shack into a tiki-style hut — where pancakes are still grilled and served.