Approve the Bonita-Estero Bike Path Trail

There is an excellent opportunity to build a bike path along an old railroad bed that would connect Bonita Springs and Estero to the Ft. Myers bike path / trail network. There is even a much-needed proposal to tie this to Barefoot Beach and Ft. Myers Beach!

Unfortunately, the Office of Greenways and Trails recently dropped the Seminole Gulf Railroad Bonita-Estero Trail from their maps, making funds less available for this project. We have created this electronic petition which will be shared with the state. There is a deadline of December 15th as the Office of Greenways and Trails are accepting comments up until that time.


We will forward the results of this electronic petition to Samantha Browne, Samantha.Browne@dep.state.fl.us
Re: Southern Region Opportunity and Priority Land Trails Map

I urge you to restore the Seminole Gulf Railroad (SGLR) ROW alignment (the “Bonita-Estero Trail”) in the Village of Estero and the City of Bonita Springs as a Priority Trail in the Florida Greenways and Trails system. Advocacy for Trail project, as an existing Priority Trail, has been the subject of concerted effort by Bonita Springs and Estero during the past year, including unanimous endorsement last March at the first joint meeting of their town councils. Community support is wide. Future connectivity to the Trail was a key component of Bonita Springs recent successful Florida Recreational Trails Program award.

Without the Trail, the Village of Estero will be excluded from the Sun Trail Priority system. The quality of life, health, economic development and tourism benefits of the Trail cannot be overstated. This special and beautiful pathway will connect landmark features in Estero and Bonita Springs, including the Estero River, Koreshan Historic State Park, the planned Estero Village Center, Estero Community Park, Halfway Creek, Coconut Point Town Center, Lee Heath’s new 162,000 square foot cutting edge healthy living facility, Spring Creek, Bonita Springs Center for the Arts, Historic Downtown Bonita Springs, the Imperial River, Riverside Park and Florida Gulf Coast University. There is also a strong need to connect this trail to Barefoot Beach