🚂 All aboard!

It's the tail end of June, which means my truck's AC is working overtime, the lovebugs treat my windshield like a dating app, and my kids asked "are we there yet?" before we'd even backed out of the driveway.

Welcome to summer in Parrish. ☀️

But hot as it is, our little town keeps right on rolling.

This week we've got a brand-new trail breaking ground, 🦪 a raw bar worth loosening your belt for, a fresh stack of family events before the Fourth, and a 52-pound charmer named Nero hunting for a forever couch.

Pour the sweet tea and let's roll.

What: Manatee County broke ground on the first phase of the Gateway Greenway Trail.

When: Groundbreaking ceremony held June 18, 2026.

The Details: A half-mile starter segment, fully funded at about $1 million in federal dollars, with construction expected to wrap in roughly eight months.

The Big Picture: It's the first piece of a planned countywide network connecting neighborhoods, parks, and preserves.

Anybody who's tried to safely walk or bike around here knows we're short on places to do it. The Gateway Greenway 🌳is step one of a much bigger map — trails that could one day tie our parks and neighborhoods together. Half a mile today, a whole network down the road.

What: The Manatee County Planning Commission unanimously recommended denying "Ivy Run," a 131-home project by KB Homes.

Where: Near Rye Road and Waterline Road in Parrish, on about 52 acres.

The Details: Commissioners praised the builder for meeting with neighbors but couldn't get past Rye Road traffic — calling it a "high danger zone" with "no escape valve."

⏭️ What's Next: The County Commission has the final say, no sooner than August 6.

Parrish is booming, and not everybody's cheering every new rooftop. The planning board hit pause on this one over traffic, even after the builder offered a new signal and a trail. Whatever side of the growth debate you sit on, it's good to see these calls getting hashed out in public.

📍 Location: Creekside Commons, US-301, Parrish.

🍽️ What They Do: A locally owned craft brewery with a full scratch kitchen — beer brewed on site and food made from scratch.

Why We Love Them: It's become a true local gathering spot — the kind of independent, hometown business that gives a fast-growing town some character.

While the chains keep rolling into Parrish, Good Liquid is the real local deal — neighbors brewing their own beer and cooking real food right here at Creekside Commons. Pull up a stool, meet someone new, and put your dollars where your zip code is. That's how a town keeps its soul. 🍻

📍 Location: 8710 US-301 N, Unit 120, Parrish.

🕒 Hours: Sun–Thu 11:30 AM–9 PM; Fri–Sat 11:30 AM–10 PM.

🍽️ The Menu: A made-from-scratch lineup — raw bar, fresh seafood, burgers, and shareable plates, with gluten-free options.

If you haven't pulled into Oar & Iron on 301 yet, it's worth the trip. Everything's made from scratch, the raw bar is the star, and there's enough on the menu to keep both the picky kid and the burger purist happy. Go hungry — and maybe loosen the belt a notch. 😋

📍 Location: Fort Hamer Park, 1605 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish.

🌊 Activity: Kayak and canoe launch, riverfront boat ramp, dock, picnic pavilions, and restrooms. Open sunrise to sunset, no entry fee.

🦩Bonus: Keep an eye out for manatees, dolphins, and ospreys.

When the backyard feels like an oven, the river breeze is your best friend. Fort Hamer has an easy kayak launch right on the Manatee — calm enough for beginners and the kids. Get on the water early, pack the sunscreen 🧴, and let nature babysit for an hour. Free, healthy, and right in our backyard. 🌿

📍 Shelter: Manatee County Animal Welfare, Palmetto.

🐶The Basics: Male mixed breed, about 3 years old, 52 lbs, handsome black coat, already neutered.

🏷️ Pet ID: A136763.

Nero's a full-grown guy with a calm soul and a whole lot of love to give. At 52 pounds he's that "just right" size — big enough to hike Fort Hamer with you, mellow enough to curl up on the couch after. Adoptions are first-come, so call 📞 (941) 742-5933 with his ID before you head over. Meet Nero here.

And that's a wrap for this week.