Area Trail Maps

Estero Village’s Open Space Master Plan is as impressive as it is ambitious.  The plan calls for new or further development of four distinct hubs:   The existing Highway Commercial hub that encompasses the area of Estero at Corkscrew Road and I-75; the Eco-Historical hub that includes Koreshan State Park and the future Estero River Park; the future Village Center hub that will include a 20-acer interconnected sports and entertainment campuses, and the Mixed-Use Commercial hub centered around the existing Coconut Point Mall.   Three of the four hubs, (Eco-Historical, Village Center and Mixed-Use Commercial), will be located on the future Bonita Estero Rail Trail.  The Master Plan calls for, “connecting them to each other through multi-modal corridors as destinations for the benefit of residents and visitors”. As with the City of Bonita Springs, Estero will be well positioned to benefit from the hundreds of thousands of users annually the trail will bring to the three hubs, becoming economic drivers that will be needed in order to make the plan successful.   Estero will also benefit from the combination of the interconnected hubs and the Bonita Estero Rail Trail that will work in concert to create not only a network of connections between Estero communities, but places of destination that make rail trails so popular.          

The future Bonita Estero Rail Trail boarders Coconut Point Mall.  Coconut Point is a picturesque outdoor mall featuring over 110 stores including Dillard’s, Barnes & Noble, Super Target, an Apple Store, Tommy Bahama and PGA Tour Superstore – all surrounding several acres of lakes with a boardwalk.   A must go trail destination for future trail users.

The picture above is a rendering of a possible future Riverside Park.  There are unique advantages that cities have when rail-to-trails traverse their town centers.   A well-constructed multi-use trail of reasonable length can draw hundreds of thousands of users annually.   Trail Towns provide services that include dining, drinks, lodging, transportation, shopping, recreation and medical help. Conversion of rail corridors to multi-use trails act as economic engines.   Trail towns have the potential to completely transform from once suppressed towns with struggling economies to vibrant communities centered on their respective rail to trail.    Given the rail corridor’s proximity to the city, Bonita Springs is primed for this kind of transformation once Bonita Estero Rail Trail is operational.    

The future BERT Trail will provide a connection to nature by area residents.   The trail crosses several streams and rivers including the picture above of the rail trail bridge over the Estero River.

The BERT Trail will help connect area communities along the rail corridor.   The picture above is an aerial view of the rail corridor at Estero Parkway with the many communities that will be able to access the trail that will be minutes for their homes.

Much of the rail corridor is in heavily wooded areas.   The picture above is a portion of the corridor just north of the Estero River and south of Broadway Road.

The view above is from the existing rail bridge on the future BERT trail.   Two kayakers enjoy their time on the river as the future trail will do by helping to connect people to the outdoors.

Oak Creek in downtown Bonita Springs is yet another beautiful waterway that the future BERT trail will cross.

Future trail amenities such as the shelter pictured above will be added over time to enhance the enjoyment of the trail.

Wonder Gardens will be expanding over the next several months.  The plans include a new animal care center, otter exhibit, a treehouse/canopy experience, a nature-based playground, a larger climate-controlled event space and so much more!  Wonder Gardens is directly to the east of BERT and plans are to connect the trail making a great stopover for trail users. 

At the northern end of the BERT trail is the picturesque Granada Lakes.    At this point the trail will connect to the John Yarbrough trail and eventually to the 400+ mile Florida Gulf Coast Trail.

The future Splash Park in Downtown Bonita Springs offers a stunning water feature, or splash pad, anchors the final design for the Banyan Tree Square property across from Riverside Park. On warm days, children will enjoy running through the splash pad while parents can look on from the surrounding shaded pavilions and benches. In the evening, LED lights will turn the splash pad into a beautiful water feature as visitors explore Downtown Bonita Spring’s newfound nightlife.  The new park will be located directly across the street from the future BERT trail.

The Village of Estero is planning to create the “VILLAGE CENTER”, located in the heart of Estero.  As part of the approved 2020 Open Space Master Plan, the Village of Estero has identified four areas (sometimes referred to as “hubs”) of focus for “placemaking” – developing these areas to incorporate community aesthetic features and connecting them to each other through multi-modal corridors as destinations for the benefit of residents and visitors.  The “Village Center Hub” is the first being master planned to create high-intensity, mixed-use land uses, based on vibrant sports and entertainment uses.

The Hub is already home to the Village’s civic uses, Estero High School, and Estero Community Park and Recreation Center. Through a public-private approach, the Village Center Hub will soon include interconnected mixed-use sports and entertainment campuses that features recreational facilities, parks, public spaces, and many more for residents and visitors to enjoy.

“The Hub” will be a vibrant, multigenerational destination for residents and visitors alike!

This preserve is representative of several of the typical habitat types found in Collier County including seasonally flooded cypress, hydric flatwoods, pine flatwoods and xeric oak scrub.  This last habitat type is rapidly disappearing in Collier County due to its higher elevation and well drained soils, which make it ideal for development.  For this reason, xeric oak scrub is a priority habitat for preservation in the Conservation Collier Program.  The future BERT trail will run directly on the western side of the preserve.   At this point BERT will connect to the Paradise Coast Trail to the east and eventually become part of the 400+ mile Florida Gulf Coast Trail.  

Spring Creek is one of the many waterways that the future BERT trail will traverse creating an outdoor experience for trail users.

Arts Bonita is directly located on the east side of the future BERT trail near downtown Bonita Springs.

Several businesses are located along the trail in downtown Bonita Springs include the popular restaurants Rooftop at Riverside and Downtown Bonita Sugar Shack.

Cradled by majestic oaks along the banks of the Estero River, Koreshan State Park’s historic buildings and gardens are a testament to the industrious lives and unique beliefs of the Florida pioneers.

Located directly to the east of the BERT trail, the Estero Community Park offers a community center, fields, a playground, outdoor amphitheater and more.   Another great destination point in Estero along the trail.