ADA SISTERS
On January 15 several ADA Sisters traveled to Manatee Park for a private presentation on the history, well-being, and preservation of manatees in our area. Our docent was Anne McAlvey, a resident of Herons Glen.
Manatee Park encompasses 17 acres and is owned by Florida Power and Light (FPL). FPL annually leases the property to Lee County for $1. The lease is a 99-year lease. It is a Regional Park that opened in 1996 and is operated through a cooperative effort of partners and sponsors. The manatees frequent this area during cold weather for the warm water that flows from the FPL facility that is across the street from the park. The facilities were originally funded by Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. Native plant habitats and gardens have been planted and maintained by the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and many volunteers. Lee County residents provide visitor services as Volunteer Interpretive Naturalists trained in part by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Although it is a small park, Manatee Park provides information and programming for over 200,000 visitors annually.
Thereafter, the Sisters traveled to Blossom and Brie for a great lunch and socialization. This restaurant is farm-to-table and has the best homemade sourdough bread! They have many other activities for all ages available to the public.
