Old golf course should come into public ownership
To the editor:
I would ask the city, county and/or state to please strongly consider buying the old golf course in Cape Coral, formally known as the Cape Coral Golf and Country Club, off of Palm Tree Boulevard.
Working hard with the Cape Coral City Council has gotten me little progress in the last eight or so years. Even writing to the owners in St. Pete has yielded a little. I suggested they bring it to the attention of the 20/20 Committee, which they did, and 20/20 turned it down because mainly of its high price and it did not fit the criteria the county has in place. I have even talked to the state of Florida; alas, they did nothing.
Why should we buy this 175-acre parcel of outstanding wildlife habitat? First of all, there are American kestrel, the smallest and most beautiful of the raptor family, living and nesting here, raising their young on the course. The kestrels are endangered and a threatened species in the U.S. Truly, they migrate from South America but live here from October to March. Our snowbirds, to coin a new pun.
A pair of eagles nest on the tower on the property. Recently, the owners cut down the old nest tree which the eagles, while not nesting there, used as a hunting perch.
Another reason is the seven ponds on the grounds. Our children and fishermen fish these ponds. Several years ago a 10-pound bass was caught in one of the ponds I have had success fishing in them, too.
We need to act fast. The owners may wish to sell it to a developer, is my guess.
Other ideas that could work on the property:
Communal city gardens: many families could have their own gardens to include vegetable gardens, butterfly, native gardens, herb, flower gardens. Schools could do this, too. Schools could have an eco curriculum here where each fifth grader could come for a week of camp. Cabins could be built to house the children.The colleges and the university could do environmental studies of all sorts
A wild deer compound where our children could see our native deer and other Florida wildlife. Incidentally, I live three blocks from the course and the squirrels, possums, ‘coons in my back yard come from the course. Even ducks. Living here, I do not wish to see houses and stores built on the property as Palm Tree Boulevard and Country Club have all the traffic they can handle right now. The extra noise would be a detriment, too
The clay tennis courts could be renourished and flourish as well as the driving range. The former boccie court could be rebuilt as well as other courts. Even a senior center and boys and girls club could be built.
The people want a park. Petitions and two polls in The Breeze were favorable to it. Hundreds have signed petitions for it.
Most importantly, funding could be had by 20/20 funds that go into the General Fund as could Parks and Rec funds and money from Cape Coral City government, and state Community Development funds. A partnership between the county and Cape Coral might work to fund and run the park. A better relationship with the Cape would result. Two are better than one. That way, running expenses, upkeep, and development expenses should be minimal. If all else fails, Lands for Public Trust might work.
Please work with the mayor of Cape Coral, who is for this park. Work with the owners on a fair price for the people and to protect the American kestrels, burrowing owls and eagles and other numerous wildlife on the golf course and a beautiful outdoor way of life.
We desperately need your support to do this. Please help us out by lending your support, leadership and vote for this great project. It will put Cape Coral and Lee County on the map as a great place for environmental tourism. It will bring more money in than any strip mall would. Tourists will flock here. Better yet, it will get our children outdoors as well as enhance their lives and for generations of children and adults to come.
Quality of life is so important in these times.
I think we could buy it for $5.5 to $6 million from the county, state and the city. Or work with the owners – give them other land to build on.
Cape Coral city councilmen and women, please give our children and families a great Christmas present.
Carl Veaux
Cape Coral