FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   

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

PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD ON ESTERO COMMUNITY PARK MASTER PLAN

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 31, 2002) – Lee County Parks & Recreation will present its master plan for the proposed Estero Community Park at a joint meeting Tuesday (Aug. 6) with the Estero Community Planning Panel. 

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway in Estero. 

The county has held three public meetings since December to get residents’ input about what they would like to see included in the park plans.  Parker/Mudgett/Smith Architects has designed two master plans from which to choose.  Both master plans include a recreation center, disc golf course, water playground and picnic shelters.  The recommended plan will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for approval in the next couple of months. 

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.  Construction cost will be between $4 million and $5 million.  Construction will begin in 2003.