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Friends of BERT - Bonita Estero Rail Trail
I see a gap that will be filled in SW Florida! Go BERT

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Big thanks to Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation. Friends of BERT - Bonita Estero Rail Trail participates as Honorary member of FGTF

Our neighbors to the North are showing excellent trail benefits!

https://www.fox4now.com/bonita-springs/its-time-for-the-cyclist-danger-to-stop-say-supporters-of-rail-trail-deal

"It's time for the cyclist danger to stop," say supporters of rail trail deal The Bonita Estero Rail Trail takes a big step forward in an $82 million deal that was the result of 4 years of negotiations.

Let’s Go!!

Another Link Will Be Added to Gulf Coast Trail - Linking Naples to Tarpon Springs and Beyond - Is Becoming a Reality! Bonita Estero Rail to Trail – called BERT – would run from just south of the Lee Collier County border to Alico Road through downtown Bonita Springs and Estero ending just north of San Carlos Park at Alico Road. The trail will connect to Lee County's John Yarborough Trail to the north and the planned Paradise Coast Trail to the south in Collier County. Seminole Gulf Railway has agreed to sell its 14.9-mile Bonita-Estero Rail Corridor for a public trail in Lee County.
"This isn’t an isolated 15-mile piece of land," said Doug Hattaway, Southeast Region conservation director at Trust for Public Land. "It’s going to connect to a statewide trail network."
Called a linear park, the trail will create connections through communities for exercise as well as a path for commuting to work and school. Buying a rail line is complicated and turning the line into a trail will take more than the $82 million purchase price. Hattaway was part of the team that negotiated with Seminole Gulf Railway and will continue to work with Friends of BERT and Lee and Collier counties to help them gather the funds to buy the land. Meantime, Trust for Public Land will put its own money up and be the intermediary owner of the property, Hattaway said. https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2024/02/21/seminal-gulf-railway-to-sell-land-for-bonita-estero-corridor-for-trail/72628280007/ Thanks Joan Schwartz Attenberg for sending this story our way!
Friends of BERT: Bonita Estero Rail Trail Trust for Public Land

Excellent meeting in beautiful Winter Garden, FL
Friends of BERT - Bonita Estero Rail Trail represents SW Florida

Board of Directors and Honorary Board at Winter Garden City Hall following a very successful two-day board meeting (FEB 29-MAR 1). More info and photos to come.

What a great trail!

Friends of BERT - Bonita Estero Rail Trail represents!

Board of Directors and Honorary Board at Winter Garden City Hall following a very successful two-day board meeting (FEB 29-MAR 1). More info and photos to come.

The effect of nature and trails on mental health

East Coast Greenway | Healing With Nature | Carly Hudson, LCSW Hear from clinical therapist Carly Hudson, LCSW, on the positive impacts of green spaces - like the East Coast Greenway - and movement on mental health. Carl...

Attending Florida Trails meeting!
Lots to learn and see in

An important organization that has propelled not only Greenways and Trails, but Wildlife Corridors

About Us — Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation About Us Welcome! Welcome to the Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation! We are a dedicated non-profit organization committed to advocating for and developing a statewide system of trails and greenways. With a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and the benefits of outdoor recreation, we strive to c...

Gulf shore Business gets it right!
Thank you for the excellent coverage.
for p***c land
of Bert

Bonita Estero Rail Trail project boosted by $82M land deal - Gulfshore Business Bonita Estero Rail Trail hit a milestone four years in the making, with Trust for Public Land securing a purchase and sale agreement.

https://bonitaesterorailtrail.com/2024/02/23/bert-in-the-news/

Read this excellent story about BERT's opportunity for success and the role of Trust for Public Land as a partner.

BERT In-the-News BERT In-the-News Read the story in the Naples Daily News by J. Kyle Foster regarding Seminole Gulf Railway reaching an agreement with Trust for Public Land on the sale of the BERT railway corridor …

Seminal Gulf Railway agrees to sell land for Bonita-Estero trail project. What to know After four years of off and on negotiations, Seminal Gulf Railway has agreed to sell its 14.9-mile Bonita-Estero rail corridor for a public trail.

GREAT video from Florida DOT
How many bike/pedestrian fatalities is acceptable?

FDOT Vision Zero (English) Description