Discover Duette

A self-guided adventure through wild Florida

Merrie Lynn and Chick Parker
Merrie Lynn and Chick Parker
The “Discover Duette Self-Guided Adventure” is sponsored by Manatee Fish and Game Association and Manatee County’s Parks and Natural Resources Department. Special thanks to contributors Merrie Lynn Parker, Dick Eckenrod, Charlie Hunsicker, Johnny McLeod, Michael Elswick, Mark Proch, Aedan Stockdale, and Melissa Nell. 

The “Discover Duette Self-Guided Adventure” was created in memorial of Roy “Chick” Parker. Chick Parker was born and raised in Manatee County. An avid outdoors-man, he was appointed by the County Commissioners to serve on the ELMAC Advisory Committee that wrote the first land management plan for Duette and Emerson Point Preserves. He advocated tirelessly for a controlled hunt program at Duette. He is a Life Member of Manatee Fish and Game Association, Inc.

The Manatee Fish and Game Association was established in 1935. Its role is to serve as Stewards Conserving Our Resources and Environment (SCORE) by proactively participating with the community by leading, advising, funding, educating, promoting, practicing, and modeling sound practices to conserve fish and wildlife and its habitat. Contributions to Duette Preserve include contracting with The Nature Conservancy to do a complete inventory of plants and animals and to make suggestions included in the preserve’s Land Management Plan. In recent years, the Association has sponsored, in partnership with Manatee County’s Park and Natural Resource Department, four free annual wagon tours guided by professional naturalists and park rangers. The Association also provided matching funds donated for a fitting memorial to Chick Parker resulting in this self-guided tour material.

Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources is responsible for the management of over 27,000 acres of natural land. From coastal sand dunes to inland pine forests, the Department plans, maintains, and restores land selected for conservation. The Department also provides a wide variety of educational and volunteer programs within the County’s preserves and parks. As part of the Department’s educational outreach, County staff developed this tour. All creation of text copy, layout, and design of the tour was created in-house. Photos were provided by County staff and volunteers. 

A WILD ADVENTURE AWAITS

White-tailed Deer by Michelle Swartz
White-tailed Deer by Michelle Swartz

Duette Preserve is Manatee County’s largest conservation land, with over 23,000 acres of habitat set aside for preservation. The property was purchased in 1986 by the County from phosphate mining companies via voter referendum. Since then, the property has expanded with several additional acquisitions, and includes both the North and East fork of the Manatee River, serving as a protective buffer around this portion of the watershed. 

While the land was acquired to protect the waters, the focus has broadened into a wider view of insuring a diverse and healthy system. Throughout this tour, preserve visitors will discover the wide variety of habitats within the preserve as well as key plants and animals that flourish in each of these areas. Unique historical features and stories from the preserve’s colorful past will be related, tying in the human experience to the site. The tour also includes visits to areas that showcase the many restoration and preservation projects that have been completed, and are currently ongoing, at the site. 

The “Discover Duette Self-Guided Adventure” was created in memory of Chick Parker, a longtime Manatee County resident and active member of Manatee Fish and Game Association. Together with his wife, Merrie Lynn, Chick was a driving force in first acquiring, then planning, protecting, and managing the site. His support and input assisted in the development of the site’s first management plan, a County managed controlled hunt program, and his guidance carried throughout the preserve’s development. 

We invite you to explore Duette, stepping into “wild Florida” and discovering the beauty of the state’s native habitat. 

Duette Landscape by George Quittner
Duette Landscape by George Quittner

Enjoying Duette Preserve

Visiting for the day? Know before you go! 

Here’s a list of items to bring on your adventure:

  • Water
  • Sunscreen
  • Snacks
  • Hat and other sun protective clothing
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • A camera
  • Cell phone
  • Map
  • Your Duette Preserve Self-Guided Adventure Book

Be aware that bathrooms are located at the Check Station only, so please plan accordingly. 

Access:

The Self-Guided Tour is intended to be accessible to vehicles, hikers, and bikers. The trails within the preserve are hard packed shell. One creek crossing will be required to complete the tour. Water is generally less than 1 foot deep, however during periods of high rain the trail may be closed if there is flooding. Four-wheel drive is not necessary to enjoy this tour, however other portions of the 20,000+ acre preserve are only accessible via four-wheel drive. 

 

Preserve Hours:

The Self-Guided Tour is available to hikers, bikers, and horse riders weekdays and weekends, when Duette Preserve is open to the public. Preserve hours are sunrise to sunset. Please note: The preserve is closed seasonally on various weekends for the annual Hunt Program. Please check current Hunt Program Schedule and any notifications about preserve closures.

 

Vehicle access is available on non Hunt Program Saturdays. Visitors driving into the preserve will need to first visit the Check Station and pay the daily fee to access the site.

Activities:

Your visit to Duette Preserve can include a driving tour, hiking, biking, or horse riding (with proof of negative Coggin’s test). Picnicking is encouraged and allowed. The preserve also features a primitive campground, accessible for a small fee on non-hunt weekend Fridays and Saturdays. 

 

Please leave ATV’s, drones, alcohol, and glass containers, at home. These are not permitted in the preserve.

Discover Duette Trail Map