THE URBANIZATION OF GREATER ESTERO
Engage Estero releases its 6-monthly update of the commercial and residential developments taking place across Greater Estero. This comprehensive report is one of the most read documents Engage Estero Releases. It is sent to over 14,000 residents who have signed up on our website http://www.esterotoday.com to receive our communications, and the posted document on our website receives over 4,000 hits per month.
Population growth rates will continue, especially in East Corkscrew. Estero’s population is projected to grow by over 8,000 within the next 2-3 years, while East Corkscrew is expected to reach approximately 60,000 residents within a decade. The September Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) report’s introduction covers these trends.
In an earlier GECR report titled “Adapt or Perish,” we also made the point that municipalities must adapt what they offer to the public, much like companies do, because they operate in a competitive environment, even if their primary goal isn’t profit. Just like companies need customers, municipalities need residents and businesses to thrive.
Most people tend to become worried and uncomfortable when faced with change. Most prefer the status quo. But, if a city fails to evolve and offer good services, infrastructure, and quality of life, people and companies may leave or choose not to settle there. The result is economic stagnation or even decline, with a resulting drop in home values because people will be less inclined to make Estero their home.
In many ways, the fact that developers have a considerable interest and desire to build in Greater Estero is a positive sign, given the recent decline in property prices. The recent decision by Curadel Pharma, a start-up pharmaceutical company, to construct a 43,000-square-foot medical office and supporting infrastructure at 9600 Corkscrew Road is another positive outcome.
THE SEPTEMBER 26 COMMUNITY & MEMBER MEETING YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS!
The location is 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd (inside the Estero Community Park), Estero, FL 33928, on Friday, September 26 at 10 a.m.
Mary Gibbs, the Community Development Director for the Village, will discuss the difficulties that the Village’s Planning, Zoning & Design Board (PZDB) has to face when balancing the demands of developers and, on occasion, their legal threats with those of the Village code and the residents’ concerns. She will also explain what some of the larger developments underway or about to start will look like.
In addition, Clerk Karnes, Lee County’s Clerk of the Court & Comptroller, will discuss the issue of Title fraud.
GUIDANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE CARING FOR A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA
Engage Estero recently provided a two-part article that was designed to help those who struggle to take care of a family member or friend with dementia. This situation is undoubtedly one of the most heartbreaking ones anyone can face. Dealing with a family member who has dementia—whether mild, moderate, or severe—can be incredibly challenging, both emotionally and practically. Dementia often affects memory, behavior, communication, and independence, and the progression varies from person to person.
Family members and caregivers often experience emotional stress, confusion, and frustration as they try to navigate the situation. Most people facing these challenges are unsure about how to act or what steps to take in this demanding situation.
If you believe a friend or colleague could benefit from the 2-part article, which has been highly praised by several primary care doctors, the articles can be viewed on our website:
RIVER OAKS PRESERVE
A 10 acre Natural Habitat in the Center of Estero
Development and construction seem everywhere in Estero these days. But the Village of Estero has invested to keep a natural 10-acre preserve right in the center of our community.
It’s Tuesday morning and Florida Gulf Coast University students are arriving at River Oaks Preserve to earn required Service-Learning hours. They are greeted by a volunteer who quickly puts them to work. Today, the ground is moist from a soaking rain, so students will be installing native plants in selected areas. They pull exotic weeds first, observe a planting demonstration, and then plant pineland heliotrope, Keys blackbead, limber caper, teabush, firebush and more.
River Oaks Preserve is located at the far end of East Broadway. It is located east of Tamiami Trail (Route 41) and east past Sandy Lane. After the Village of Estero purchased the 10-acre parcel in May 2022, it selected The Coccoloba Chapter of the statewide Florida Native Plant Society to manage it and an adjacent two-acre right-of-way. One goal of the project is to restore and maintain valuable native Florida habitat for the enjoyment of residents.
Additionally, a native plant nursery on site offers exciting new landscaping options for homeowners and community landscape committees. The parcel, which is bisected by the north branch of the Estero River, also allows for better stormwater management and helps to prevent flooding.
Over the past three years, the all-volunteer, nonprofit chapter has supervised the removal of invasive and exotic plants, established electrical service and a solar-powered irrigation system, set up retail and propagation nurseries, started a long-term planting program to restore natural habitats, mapped gopher tortoise burrows, and secured nearly $27,000 in USDA government funding. Hundreds of volunteers made this happen. Many of those volunteers were university students.
Why is this important?
Had this parcel been paved over and developed, Estero residents, along with all the other native creatures here, would have lost a sliver of the real Florida habitat. This is especially true because so many of our developments use non-native plantings that do not support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife that once were abundant in south Florida. Natural areas are also essential for human beings. Spending time in them has been linked to a host of psychological and social benefits including improved cognition, better mental health, increased empathy, and cooperation. And who doesn’t need more of that!
So, what can you do?
Well, you can sit by and complain about overdevelopment, or you can make a difference. Get outside and discover the real Florida. The real Florida has mature pines and massive live oak trees populated with resurrection fern and air plants. The real Florida also has small trees, shrubs, and ground covers that provide nesting sites, berries, seeds, and nectar for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Why not make space in your own yard for a bit of real Florida? Bring pictures of your yard or common space to the nursery at River Oaks Preserve and talk to the volunteers. They will provide free landscaping assistance and help you select plants to create the look and features you want. They will also refer you to other native plant nurseries in our area for a wider selection of plants. While you are at it, encourage your HOA to set aside or create natural areas.
Better yet, join the group of volunteers at the Preserve. Or even better, bring your volunteer organization out for a workday in our amazing location. There is so much to do, and you will make lots of new friends.
What does the future hold for River Oaks Preserve?
The development of River Oaks Preserve is at an early stage. Although the site is currently home to gopher tortoises, eastern cottontail rabbits, squirrels, many bird species, and bobcats, it has the potential to bring in additional species as more native plants are installed. As the natural landscape and restoration areas mature, you will experience the amazing aromas of fiddlewood trees, sweet acacias, Simpson’s stoppers, snowberry, and little strongbacks. Come see an abundance of southwest Florida birds and butterflies delighting in the Jamaica caper tree and scarlet hibiscus blooms. Where can you go to see that?
As planning begins for classroom space and necessary storage sheds, equipment, and supplies, slip on over for a peek. Want to explore like Ponce de Leon? Teach a class? Brainstorm with other volunteers? Take your youth group on a field trip? All of this is possible.
Preserving this sliver of land benefits area residents and the environment. The Preserve is a priceless resource right in the center of Estero. Kudos to the Village of Estero leadership for preserving this pristine land and for engaging an all-volunteer organization like the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society to manage it in the best way possible.
River Oaks Preserve is located at 9541 Broadway Ave E., that’s the east end of Broadway Avenue. It is open to the public on Sundays and Tuesdays from 9-1 or by appointment. The preserve is closed to the public other times. The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2001. Their mission is to preserve, conserve, and restore native plants and native plant communities of Florida. Visit http://www.FNPSCoccoloba.org for more information.
At Engage Estero, we believe in the strength of the community. As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical nonprofit, we utilize evidence-based research to provide impartial facts and information about community issues that can improve your quality of life.
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