The Bonita Estero Rail Trail project (BERT) is not just a local initiative but a crucial part of a larger vision to complete the 420-mile-long Florida Gulf Coast Trail. This ambitious plan aims to connect communities from Tampa-St. Petersburg down to Naples, and the...
The Pride That Residents Have For Our Community Shines Brightly
In September 2020, Engage Estero (formerly the ECCL), as part of FDOT’s Adopt a Highway Program, agreed to keep a section of Hwy 41 clear of rubbish and debris. Volunteers from over 40 communities and businesses have stepped up to help keep the 4-plus mile stretch of Hwy 41 from the Vines entrance (Breckenridge Road) north of Walmart to south of Coconut Road free of litter.
Many other individuals and groups have become involved in cleaning up other roads in Estero. Every section of the county roads in Estero has now been adopted through Lee County’s Adopt a Road program. Volunteers from Rookery Point/Heatherstone, Grandezza, and RMS (Residential Maintenance Solutions) have taken responsibility for sections of Three Oaks Parkway and Corkscrew Road.
Volunteers have adopted other county road sections in Estero from Country Creek, Meadows of Estero, Pelican Sound, Estero Rotary Club, River of Life, Suffolk Construction, Pro-line, and several FGCU organizations.
In addition, with the support of the Estero Village Manager Steve Sarkozy and the Keep Lee County Beautiful program, an Adopt a Road program was initiated last season for:
- Estero Parkway (led by volunteers in the Cascades)
- Via Coconut Point (led by volunteers from Genova and Mirasol, including participants from Rapallo, Colonial Oaks, Shadow Wood, Wildcat Run, and Lighthouse Bay)
- Williams Road (with volunteers from Genova and Pelican Sound).
During February, Engage Estero’s Julie Yellig and her team of volunteers collected 780 pounds of bagged litter and debris on Hwy 41. The season’s total, including November, comes to 4,160 pounds of trash collected off this main road running through Estero.
Participants this month represented Copperleaf, Riverwoods Plantation, Grandezza, Belle Lago, Lighthouse Bay, Bella Terra, Meadows of Estero, Rapallo, Breckinridge, and Pelican Sound.
Our appreciation goes to our neighbors in all of these programs and those who pick up litter wherever they are taking their walks.
Finally, Engage Estero sincerely thanks Marathon/Dos Amigos Authentic Mexican Grill for providing our volunteers with water and ice for our events this season.