Estero Village Council adopted a resolution requesting state funding on Thursday for a project known as Estero on The River Trails, authorizing the village manager and agents to take all actions necessary to apply for and obtain funds from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection and The State of Florida Legislature.
The project consists of building a trail along 62 acres of land on the northeast corner of Corkscrew Road and U.S. 41, extending north to Judith Lane and east to the railroad tracks. It came to fruition in response to residents’ requests to embrace Estero’s historic heritage and protect the environment, resulting in the village purchasing the land for $24.5 million in 2019.
Mayor Katy Errington expressed concern about the timeline of the project. “Some of us would like to see this moved on before we say goodbye,” she said.
Village manager Steve Sarkozy said getting projects out the door in the current economy has been “brutal.”
“Prices have gone up not only at the grocery store but also for all construction activity and in many cases, you can’t get parts and supplies,” Sarkozy said.
He said the major pathway on the perimeter of the property was mapped out and cleared, but there are still conflicting objectives regarding fencing and elevation. “We have elevations and we’re trying to save trees and a fence is not very forgiving when you lay it out,” he said.
A part of the project is perimeter fencing, raising questions of trees and foliage overwhelming the fencing as time progresses.
“Trees are vitally important to that property,” Errington said. “Eventually, unless you maintain the shrubbery, the trees and the grass on both sides, whichever side you’re choosing to show off, is going to be overcome with growth. I’m sure you can figure out a way to do this and not destroy those trees. We’re getting more cars down here and more pollutants in the air. We need those trees.”
David Willems, public works director for the village, said there are a lot of trees along the entire frontage of the property, but moving toward Corkscrew Road, the roadway goes up, but the property does not.
Willems said his team is trying to balance keeping the fence up toward the road and not impact trees.
Adoption of the resolution allows the village to apply for $750,000 in funding from the state department of environmental protection. The funds will allow construction of the first phase of a system of trails, including the construction of a trail loop, parking area/trail head and a pedestrian bridge over the Estero River.
