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More than 660 Greater Estero residents participated in the Engage Estero survey, providing a reliable picture of community priorities. Most respondents are long-time residents, with 68% living in Estero more than nine months a year and 51% residing here for over 15 years, representing more than 45 neighborhoods and independent households.

The results show strong support for Engage Estero’s role in the community. Nearly 70% of residents say an organization like Engage Estero is needed, with many viewing it as a trusted source of information, an advocate for residents, and a watchdog protecting the community’s quality of life.

Residents identified the most important issues Engage Estero addresses as keeping residents informed about government actions, improving transportation safety and infrastructure, protecting the environment and water quality, responding to threats to quality of life, and monitoring Village initiatives.

Looking ahead, residents want continued focus on traffic and road safety, environmental protection, responsible development, and managing growth. They also believe the Village of Estero should prioritize reducing traffic congestion, preserving open space through land purchases, and expanding biking and walking trails.

Full Analysis

Respondent Sample

Our sincere thanks to the 664 Residents who completed the investigation, providing a reliable basis for the analysis. 68% spend more than 9 months of the year in Greater Estero, and 51% have lived in the area for 15+ years. Residents from more than 45 locations (HOAs and addresses not linked to Gated Communities) participated in the study, providing a broad and representative sample.

Knowledge of Engage Estero

2/3rds felt they knew at least a moderate amount about Engage Estero. When asked what they thought best described what they felt about Engage Estero, the top items were:

• I see the organization as an essential source of local information, 59%
• I see the organization as an advocate 40%
• I see the organization as one that has residents’ interests at the forefront of what they do, 30%
• I see the organization as one that helps protect our community, 29%
• see the organization as one that keeps elected officials focused on our needs/requirements, 22%

Almost 70% felt there was a need for an organization like Engage Estero, a figure similar to that recorded in 2022. Only 6% felt there was no need; the rest felt they couldn’t say.  The main reasons behind those views centered on the need to champion opportunities, challenge threats, offer solutions, and communicate accurate information to help residents make informed decisions (44%) and to advocate for our community, now and for the future (42%). Other comments centered on:

• To develop resources, including volunteers and financial support programs, for projects that improve the greater Estero community. (34%)
• To provide checks and balances for the betterment of the greater Estero community. (32%)
• To enhance our community for a better life. (29%)

The greatest importance that residents attach to Engage Estero’s communications was: (Based on the three top box scores,8, 9, and 10)

• The articles prepared on different topics (68%)
• Our Community Meetings (56%)
• Our website (53%)
• Our Public Forums (49%)

Important

The top 5 issues that residents feel have been the most important aspects Engage Estero has focused on recently are:

• To inform residents about Village, County, Regional, and State issues and ways to respond to issues threatening the quality of life in our communities 85%
• To help improve our safety by supporting the funding and planning for safe and adequate roadways, walking/biking/and multi-use paths serving our communities 85%
• To help protect our environment and preserve our clean water and wetlands. 83%
• To proactively respond to perceived immediate threats to our quality of life, e.g., reacting to the I-75 proposed expansion through Estero 81%
• Function as a watchdog organization to monitor the implementation of the Village of Estero initiatives and plans    78%

Future Focus

It was clear that residents feel that Engage Estero should focus their efforts on

• Safety & Road Transportation (96%)
• Environment & Water Quality (89%)
• Community Development (enhance and effect change to improve the community) (89%)
• Urbanization and construction (71%)

Village Priorities.

The top three issues it was felt that the Village Management should focus its efforts on were:

• Addressing the results of the 2024 Traffic study to enhance safety and improve traffic congestion. (76%)
• The purchasing of various parcels of land to reduce development and ensure the retention of open spaces (66%)
• The plans and expenditure to convert the Seminole railway line into bike and walking paths through Bonita Springs and Estero (52%)

When asked whether they felt the Village’s spending priorities matched their priorities, most didn’t know (59%), indicating that they were unaware of the Village’s spending focus.

Everyone at Engage Estero thanks you sincerely for putting your trust in our organization. To those who have made donations to help us continue to do the work we do, we deeply appreciate it.

We work hard as volunteers to not only keep you informed in various ways, but also to advocate on your behalf to try to ensure that we get the results we all need. We will continue to do all we can to keep Greater Estero in the forefront of positive change in the years ahead and ensure we can continue to enjoy the most unique and beautiful place in Southwest Florida to live.

Appendix

Q12. What importance do you attach to each of the following actions that Engage Estero’s has undertaken?

• To inform you about Village, County, Regional, and State issues and ways to respond to issues threatening the quality of life in our communities 85%
• To help improve our safety by supporting the funding and planning for safe and adequate roadways, walking/biking/and multi-use paths serving our communities 85%
• To help protect our environment and preserve our clean water and wetlands 83%
• To proactively respond to perceived immediate threats to our quality of life, e.g., reacting to the I-75 proposed expansion through Estero 81%
• Function as a watchdog organization to monitor the implementation of Village of Estero initiatives and plans 78%
• To proactively offer ways to participate in the planning process (Calls To Action), to help preserve our quality of life 74%
• To improve health services by helping to establish local, high-quality health facilities and programs, such as stressing the need for a local hospital, to meet the wellness and treatment needs of our community      67%
• Respond to natural and other disasters by providing funding and other immediate services to victims and those in need. 61%
• To create a physical, social, economic, and appealing environment that will foster good health outcomes.       61%
• To improve the quality of educational programs in and outside the classroom, including programs involving financial literacy and work readiness, and providing financial support for teachers and students, such as support for specific teacher initiatives, scholarships for students, and mentoring.  56%
• To improve our arts, culture, and entertainment in Estero and surrounding communities, offering support for a Community Theatre and other Arts initiatives.            52%
• To help support specific resident suggestions to enhance the sports and recreational facilities planned for the area east of Via Coconut and north of Williams Road, and East Corkscrew communities. 50%