FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Bob Taylor, Lee County Department of Construction & Design
                (941) 479-8306

FORT MYERS, Fla. (December 27, 2001) – Lee County will hold the first of three public meetings to plan the Estero/Bonita Community Park on Wednesday, January 9.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway in Estero. The goal is to determine what amenities the community would like included in the park.

The county has hired Parker/Mudgett/Smith Architects to help with the design. The firm is finalizing survey results and compiling an inventory of amenities at nearby facilities to be presented at the public meeting.

The initial 10-acre phase of the 65-acre park, which is just west of Estero High School and east of U.S. 41 on Williams Road, was completed in December 2000 and includes two, lighted football/soccer fields, a concession/restroom facility, and a parking lot. The phase being planned will encompass the remaining 55 acres that run north toward Corkscrew Road.

The facility is being built with community park impact fees. $2.1 million is included in this year’s construction budget for the project.