SARASOTA, Fla. — A brewing company out of Milford, Connecticut, is donating thousands of dollars to a state park in Sarasota.

What You Need To Know

  • Friends of Myakka River received thousands of dollars from Athletic Brewing Company to help add signage to Myakka River State Park's backcountry

  • They estimate that they'll be able to add 200 trail markers and four kiosks with maps around the backcountry of the state park

  • In a recent news release, the executive director of the Friends of Myakka River said, "this exciting project will add substantial value to our community and environment for years to come”

Athletic Brewing Company is giving the Friends of the Myakka River State Park nearly $25,000, which will go toward adding signage and other markers to help hikers navigate the park’s backcountry.

Dan Bowles and his wife, Karen, have brought out two of their grandchildren, who are visiting from Tennessee, to take in the beauty of Florida, something Dan says can be tough to find outside of serene spots like the state park.

“It’s old Florida,” Bowles said of the park. “It’s natural Florida, instead of the overbuilt, overdeveloped Florida.”

The Bowles have done numerous hikes, including the Appalachian Trail, so they know what’s required if you want to enjoy the outdoors.

“We don't ever hike anywhere without a little bit of preparation,” he said.

But Bowles knows not all hikers are like him and his wife, which he says is nerve-wracking when people try to go through Myakka’s backcountry without some essentials. It’s why he’s thankful to hear that Athletic Brewing is donating money to the Friends of Myakka River so trail markers and trailhead kiosks can be built to help people navigate this piece of old Florida.

“Having places and having trail markers is, is a nice thing,” Bowles said.

It’s how the Friends of the Myakka River feel too. The organization says it's “excited to be able to take on this large and highly desired project on behalf of the park.” In a recent news release, Friends of Myakka River executive director Miri Hardy said, “this exciting project will add substantial value to our community and environment for years to come.”

Hikers like the Bowles appreciate it so long as people do their own preparation ahead of taking to the trails.

“It's nice to have it be just slightly civilized,” Bowles said. “Not too much.”

He wants just enough so there can be some clarity for people yearning to visit a piece of Florida’s incredible landscape.

With this donated money, Friends of Myakka River will be able to put in about four kiosks that will have maps of the backcountry, as well as over 200 trail markers at the state park.