A bike route connecting East Naples with the Lee/Charlotte line

For decades, it has only ever been a fantasy. For many advocates, it has been their mission. For thousands of bikers who brave the crowded streets as they ride through town, building a bike path through Southwest Florida and connecting it to other paths in Sarasota and north has long been a dream.

The Trust for Public Lands has secured a purchase agreement to pay $82 million for a 14.9-mile stretch of the Seminole Rail line from the Lee/Collier border to Alico Road, bringing this idea one step closer to reality, according to a recent article by Andrea Stetson of Naples Daily News.

Should the full idea come true, a bike route would run from Collier Blvd. south of Rattlesnake Hammock Road to Burnt Store Road, which marks the Lee/Charlotte border. However, according to Deb Orton, the downtown area of Bonita Springs will serve as the trail’s focal point.

With more than 3,100 members, she founded Friends of BERT (Bonita Estero Rail Trail) last year. Orton claims that it is becoming more real, as opposed to in the past when it was only a dream. The state senate approved Senate Bill 106, which increases funding for trail building from $25 million to $50 million annually.

According to Orton, “what will help us is that ability to open up the hose a little bit more for construction funding.”

The county, municipalities, Conservation 20/20, Florida Forever, donations from private organizations, and private funds are just a few of the potential sources of funding for the land purchase.

“Once you align a number of state and federal funding sources, we would be able to make that purchase,” Orton stated.

It has been over 15 years since Bonita Springs’ railroad tracks were last utilized. Weeds and branches cover the railroad ties, which are made of brittle wood. According to Orton, Bonita has the potential to develop into the hub of the proposed trail that would connect southern Collier County with northern Lee County, despite the majority of the route passing through wooded areas, residential neighborhoods, and even some industrial sectors.

She stated, “We are discussing Bonita Springs as a trail town.Those without cars will be able to visit this location. They can ride their bikes here and dine at the establishments. Wherever they are going, people want to ride. Those who want to ride their bikes, have a cup of coffee, and eat are present as the trail enters. We see this as a fantastic potential trail town. Right here will be the epicenter, that much is certain. There is definitely room for transformation in this entire area.”

Doug Hattaway, conservation director for the Trust for Public Lands’ southwest region, concurs.

When trails are located in downtown areas, new businesses that cater to trail users, such as restaurants and shops, see this as a great opportunity to profit from the attention they attract.

Hattaway cites trails in Winter Haven, Dunnellon, and Sarasota that are already receiving substantial financial support. He also recognizes the advantages for kids who are going to Bonita Springs Elementary and Middle Schools.

“It offers a secure alternative to sitting in traffic for people to walk, jog, go to work, or attend school,” he said.

People who ride their bicycles to work or to the nearby petrol station in the morning find Old 41 to be a haven. Hattaway emphasizes the demographics in the vicinity and claims the route will be extremely beneficial to their health and safety. He also mentioned how it will help the downtown area’s future and the elderly.

According to Hattaway, “a big city has a subway system. Real estate investment occurs when there is a multi-use road because people want to live close by and are ready to pay more for it. Together with the beaches, it becomes a destination and begins to draw more tourists. That also contributes to the financial gains.”

President of the Bonita Springs Downtown Alliance Mike Gibson would love to see further investments in that area spurred by a path.

“People will ride their bikes and want to take breaks, stopping at coffee shops and ice cream shops on any trails that I have been to that frequently pass through a downtown area,” he said. “We think it will be fantastic for the community because it is difficult to go about in traffic. People are able to jog, walk, and do everything. This route is going to be fantastic for the area. The number of people who enjoy doing green trips is really high. It comes along with the river. In addition to enjoying the water, they can leave their bikes in the park.”

People prefer to live next to an amenity like that; therefore, it will raise the value of all the properties.

Trish Leonard, the former president of the Downtown Alliance, continued, “I think it going to be a great asset to us because we are going to have people that never thought of Bonita Springs come and walk and bike. People will pause and see the Wonder Gardens, have lunch, or grab a coffee or drink. The options are very limitless.”

According to Orton, Estero will be a well-liked location along the path.

“Estero will become the destination for recreation very soon,” she said. Pickleball may be played at the recreation center, which is located across the Estero River. The section of the rail track that crosses the Estero River may be my favorite. This will be the leisure area, and there will be really lovely parks there.”

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News