BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — A Bonita Springs enterprise proprietor is encouraging residents to help the Bonita-Estero Rail Path referendum on the August poll, calling the proposed challenge a once-in-a-generation alternative to attach Southwest Florida communities whereas increasing leisure entry.
Talking on Florida’s Voice Radio with host Drew Steele, Rooftop at Riverside proprietor Chris Magnus stated the Bonita-Estero Rail Path, referred to as BERT, would rework an unused rail hall into an 11.4-mile multiuse path connecting North Naples and Estero. The challenge can be anticipated to function half of a bigger regional path community stretching north towards Tampa.
“The parents who’re working this by way of Buddies of BERT, it’s 100% citizen-organized, volunteer-powered,” Magnus stated. “These people work actually, actually laborious.”
Magnus stated changing the inactive railroad right into a path would create alternatives for strolling, biking and different out of doors actions whereas including pocket parks and bettering connectivity all through the realm.
“We’re serving to to cut back visitors congestion, and we’re serving to to have an incredible walkway and pathway for households, bikes and train,” he stated.
🚨THE BONITA ESTERO RAIL TRAIL: A brand new challenge is working to attach North Naples to Fort. Myers and finally to Tampa, explains proprietor of Rooftop at Riverside
CHRIS MAGNUS: “We’re now going to have multimodal communities the place individuals can stroll, bike, roller-skate.” pic.twitter.com/THFdFh2YMz
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) July 2, 2026
The referendum asks Bonita Springs voters whether or not to authorize funding for the rail path challenge, which supporters have promoted as an funding in recreation, transportation and financial improvement.
Magnus described the upcoming vote as crucial.
“Now we have to vote sure for BERT,” he stated. “It’s now or by no means.”
Past the path challenge, Magnus praised Bonita Springs’ ongoing redevelopment efforts, crediting metropolis leaders and Lee County with investing in downtown enhancements, together with a multimillion-dollar public library and infrastructure tasks aimed toward making the town extra pedestrian-friendly.
Steele, a longtime Southwest Florida resident, famous the town’s dramatic transformation over the previous a number of many years, describing Bonita Springs as certainly one of Florida’s missed locations that has skilled vital progress.
Magnus additionally highlighted Fourth of July festivities at Rooftop at Riverside, together with a fundraiser benefiting the rail path effort that includes a dunk tank with native elected officers and group leaders.
He stated the restaurant’s location overlooking Riverside Park offers guests with views of the town’s Independence Day parade and fireworks show whereas serving to showcase Bonita Springs to residents and vacationers alike.
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