Village of Estero votes to approve purchase agreement with Trust for Public Land for 11.4 mile Bonito-Estero Rail trail segment
Estero, Fl. – The Village of Estero Council has voted today to approve a purchase agreement with Trust for Public Land (TPL) to acquire a key segment of the 11.4-mile rail corridor that will become the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT), marking a major step toward transforming the former railway into a safe, multi-use public trail connecting communities across Southwest Florida.
Under the agreement, TPL will work with the Village of Estero and regional partners to purchase the rail corridor and facilitate its eventual conversion into a publicly accessible trail for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized users. The corridor runs from Estero Parkway south to the eastern end of Wiggins Pass Road in Collier County and will ultimately serve as a critical link in the regional Florida Gulf Coast Trail.
“The action taken today by the Village of Estero Council is a significant step forward to finalizing the purchase of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail in collaboration with Bonita Springs and Collier County,” said Village Councilmember Jon McLain. “Next step is to conduct due diligence activities involving appraisals, boundary surveys, and an environmental evaluation. Upon a successful sale, BERT will be a Legacy Project that will provide significant benefits to our citizens. BERT is a great example of how government entities, national non-profits (TPL), and our citizens through an all-volunteer non-profit Friends of BERT can work together to accomplish great things.”
TPL re-negotiated the purchase agreement for the rail corridor from Seminole Gulf Railway in February and is working with local governments to complete the acquisition and transition the corridor into a community trail. Once complete, the 11.4-mile corridor will provide a hard-surface trail designed for recreation, commuting, and safe transportation between neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and natural areas.
“The Village of Estero’s action today moves the Bonita Estero Rail Trail one step closer to becoming a transformational reality for Southwest Florida,” said Doug Hattaway, Southeast Region Conservation Director for Trust for Public Land. “This project will create new opportunities for outdoor recreation, improve safety for people walking and biking, and connect communities throughout the region.”
The Bonita Estero Rail Trail is envisioned as part of the broader Florida Gulf Coast Trail, a regional greenway network that will ultimately span more than 400 miles across Southwest Florida. The project will also improve access to local parks, waterways, and conservation lands while supporting economic development and tourism in nearby communities.
The acquisition is being pursued through a collaborative partnership among the Village of Estero, the city of Bonita Springs, Collier County, Trust for Public Land, and the community advocacy group Friends of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail. Together, these partners are working to secure funding, finalize the purchase, and advance the design and construction of the trail. Bonita Springs and Collier County are anticipated to hold similar votes in the coming weeks.
Trails like BERT provide significant benefits for communities by supporting outdoor recreation, promoting public health, and creating safe transportation alternatives. They are also proven drivers of economic activity, boosting nearby property values, and supporting local businesses.
Once acquired, the corridor will become a permanent public asset that expands access to the outdoors and connects residents and visitors to Southwest Florida’s natural landscapes.
About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, and raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
About Friends of Bonita Estero Rail Trail
Friends of Bonita Estero Rail Trail is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) citizen group dedicated to bringing the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) and Florida Gulf Coast Trail (FGCT) to Lee County and Collier County communities. Friends of BERT mission is to generate public support for BERT and all sections of the FGCT trail network. The advocacy group started in late September 2022 and currently there are more than 4,000 members. Visit our website or contact us at FriendsofBERT@bonitaesterorailtrail.com.