Water park proposal hits snag?

Opposition to a proposed water park at Tom Bennett Park may have killed the project, at least at that location.

Dozens of residents of Heritage Harbour and neighboring communities spoke unexpectedly at the Manatee County Commission meeting Tuesday, voicing their opposition to Manatee Lost Lagoon’s proposal for a 20-acre water park and hotel at the northeast corner of Tom Bennett Park and asking the county to cease negotiations.

Commissioners responded by asking to place the item on the agenda for a future meeting so they could get an update on the proposal and discuss whether Tom Bennett Park is the best location for such a facility.

“The bottom line is actually that we didn’t agree that the water park is a bad idea,” Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said. “We didn’t say that. What we said is that we really weren’t sure the location was correct.”

Residents worry about traffic, quality of life and other issues and say another location may be better.

County attorney Robert Eschenfelder said the county has no legal risk if it decides to scrap the idea of a water park at Tom Bennett Park.

Manatee Lost Lagoon spokesman Bill Gridley did not immediately return inquiries.