Roaming the sprawling Myakka River State Park means potentially going miles without seeing another person. But the desire for peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of Sarasota or Bradenton could put those unfamiliar with the park in danger.

That’s why Friends of Myakka River is working to make backcountry exploration easier at the park, with $24,250 in funding from the Athletic Brewing Company.

As the park was designed to feature minimal development, the majority of its more than 37,000 acres allows native plants and wildlife to thrive without the presence of other structures.

“When you go to Myakka River State Park, especially when you venture out to the extensive backcountry, you are experiencing wild Florida as it is and as it has been,” says Miri Hardy, executive director for Friends of Myakka River. “But exploring this vast area is challenging, as it does not have trail markers.”

In its current state, the backcountry can seem daunting and even dangerous to some because of its lack of accessibility and clearly identified trails. The funding from Athletic Brewing Company will allow for four trailhead kiosks featuring maps, as well as roughly 200 trail markers.

Athletic Brewing Company, a business specializing in non-alcoholic beers, is donating the $24,540 as part of its Two for the Trails program. The program, named after co-founder and CEO Bill Shufelt's family tradition of taking two brews to toast post-trail adventures, donates up to $2 million annually to nonprofits working to protect and restore local trails, waterways, and urban greenspaces.

“We strongly feel that if people experience that special connection that happens when you’re surrounded by the unique beauty of Myakka’s backcountry, they’ll be connected to this place in a very special and meaningful way. And we want to see this happen," says Hardy.

The updates will be made by Friends of Myakka River’s newly formed workforce, made up of a group of members who Hardy calls “super-friends.” The group must complete Utility Terrain Vehicle training to prepare for placing the new trail markers and kiosks.

“We have to be checked out to operate that equipment. Once that’s done, we’ll be able to do it properly and safely,” said Steven Roberts, a member of Friends of Myakka River. “Then we’ll be in teams planting the signposts so that other people can go out there and not be at risk of getting lost.”

Roberts and his wife Terri have been members of Friends of Myakka River group for nearly two years, joining after initially participating in one of the organization’s “Bike Myakka for Good” service projects. They say joininghas been enlightening.

“We’ve lived in this area for 40-some years, so we’ve known about Myakka River State Park, but until recently, when we got more involved, we didn’t really know everything that was available there, and how much diversity there is in the wildlife and plants,” says Terri Roberts. “I would like everyone who comes into the park to get a little bit of that.”

Hardy says that after the training is complete, materials will be ordered and work will begin as early in 2024 as possible.

“The excitement from the community is just invigorating,” she says.

Myakka River State Park is home to a variety of native plants and animals essential to the surrounding ecosystems. The park’s wetlands also help maintain waterflow in the area and prevent flooding. For more information, click here.

Sarah Owens is a reporter for the Community News Collaborative. Connect with her at [email protected].