FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    John Yarbrough, Lee County Parks & Recreation
                (941) 461-7410

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 6, 2001) – Lee County took the next step today in creating a paddling trail that, eventually, will span the length of the county and encompass its Gulf front, bays and rivers.

By resolution, the Board of Lee County Commissioners today unanimously created the "Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail," which will be part of the statewide Florida Greenways and Trails System upon successful application and designation.

The Board’s action also authorizes county staff to complete Florida Department of Environmental Protection applications for trail markers

The 50-mile trail will be created in two phases. The first phase will begin in Bonita near the Imperial River and end at Bunche Beach. The second phase of the trail will begin at Bunche Beach and extend to the shorelines of the back bays of Sanibel Island, Captiva, North Captiva and Pine Island Sound. The trail will end at Boca Grande.

Portions of the trail also will include the Caloosahatchee River and canoeing and kayaking opportunities around Caloosahatchee Regional Park and Hickey Creek Mitigation Park.

Along with markers, the trail will include picnic sites, launch sites and places to get out and stretch. Boaters and jet skiers will be alerted they must idle speed near the trail.

Funding for the project is coming from the Tourist Development Council and the 3-percent bed tax charged on short-term room rentals. The TDC approved $85,000 last year and $85,000 this year. The county’s construction plan also calls for an additional $170,000 in fiscal years 2003 and 2004.

The trail will provide additional eco-tourism opportunities for visitors to our area as well as added recreational outlets for residents.