News and Posts
I-75 Expansion Must Not Come at the Expense of Estero’s Quality of Life
Estero residents understand why Interstate 75 must be improved. Congestion is worsening, travel times are less reliable, and Southwest Florida needs transportation capacity to support its future. The communities bordering I-75 are not opposing the expansion. They are asking FDOT to recognize a straightforward principle: a project designed to improve mobility should not unnecessarily diminish the quality of life in the neighboring communities.
I-75 Widening: Is the Florida Department of Transportation Underestimating the Long-Term Noise Impact?
This document critically examines FDOT’s claim that widening I-75 from six to ten lanes in Southwest Florida will produce little or no meaningful increase in traffic noise for nearby residents. We argue that FDOT’s noise modeling methodology is inadequate and that residents deserve far greater transparency before construction begins.
Shaping Estero’s Health: Visionary Leadership & Breakthrough Care
When FridayDecember 4, 202610:00 am - 11:30 am Where Estero Park and Recreation Center9200 Corkscrew Palms BlvdEstero, FL 33928 Shaping Estero’s Health: Visionary Leadership & Breakthrough CareFeaturing Lee Health CEO Ben Spence & Breakthrough Surgery Insights with...
Residents Encouraged to Comment on I-75 Expansion
Residents Encouraged to Comment on I-75 Expansion Estero residents can now submit comments and questions directly to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding the planned expansion of Interstate 75 from north of Golden Gate Parkway to south of Alico...
Eslick Estate’s Legacy Gift to Engage Estero
Don Eslick—affectionately remembered as “Mr. Estero”—helped build the foundation of our Village, leading the grassroots movement to establish Estero as an independent municipality in 2014. Today, Engage Estero is deeply honored to announce a generous bequest from the estate of Don and Suzie Eslick. Read how their gift will protect Estero’s future and discover how you, too, can leave a lasting legacy for our community.
Bonita Estero Rail Trail Bond Passes: What’s Next for the BERT Project in Estero and Bonita Springs?
Voters have approved a $35 million bond issue to fund the acquisition and initial development of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT). This landmark decision secures the crucial funding required to acquire the 11.4-mile unused rail corridor, paving the way for a major regional multi-use trail.
The Seasonal Surge: Why Traffic Congestion in Estero Has Become a Community Crisis and What We Can Do About It
Congestion is now a public safety issue, an economic drag, and a growing threat to the quality of life for year‑round residents in Estero, FL.
Why Lifelong Friendships Matter for Healthy Aging in Estero
Research consistently shows that maintaining lifelong friendships improves physical health, emotional well-being, cognitive function, and longevity.
East Corkscrew Education and Community Survey: a Joint Community Meeting of Engage Estero and the East Corkscrew Alliance
When ThursdaySeptember 24, 20266:00 pm Where Estero Fire Rescue Station 4518743 Corkscrew Road, EsteroAcross from Verdana This meeting has reached capacity for in person viewing. We will have a professional videographer recording the meeting, which will be posted on...
Why Does Estero Have Five ZIP Codes Instead of One?
Why Does Estero Have Five ZIP Codes Instead of One? Published July 23, 2026 by Engage Estero Key Take-Aways The Village of Estero currently uses five different ZIP codes because the U.S. Postal Service assigns ZIP codes based on mail delivery routes—not municipal...
How Technology Improves Traffic in Greater Estero
How Technology Improves Traffic in Greater Estero Key Take-Aways Lee County is using advanced traffic management technology to improve congestion in the greater Estero area. The County's Centracs Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS), Traffic Responsive...
Protecting Our Estero: Public Health, Infrastructure, Increasing Weather Extremes,
Protecting Our Estero: Public Health, Infrastructure, Increasing Weather Extremes, Introduction Americans disagree about many things, but one principle has long united us: important decisions should be based on evidence. Whether we are choosing medical treatments,...
Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know Pt. 2
A diagnosis of prostate cancer often raises an immediate question: “What treatment is best for me?”
Invasive Species & Native Landscaping in Southwest Florida
Invasive Species & Native Landscaping in Southwest Florida Written by guest author Brandi Freeman, FGCU Southwest Florida’s natural beauty depends on a delicate balance of native plants, wildlife, and ecosystems. But across Lee County and surrounding areas,...
The Estero River as Gateway: Opening the Door to Our Hidden Estuary
The Estero River as Gateway: Opening the Door to Our Hidden Estuary Most people in Estero live just a few miles from one of Southwest Florida’s most remarkable natural treasures — the Estero Bay Estuary. Yet for most, it remains unseen and unexperienced. It sits...
Heat, Shade & Tree Canopy: Why It Matters for Estero’s Future
Heat, Shade & Tree Canopy: Why It Matters for Estero’s Future Guest author Brandi Freeman, FGCU As Southwest Florida continues to experience hotter and longer summers, conversations about growth, landscaping, and development are becoming increasingly tied to...
Engage Estero’s Accomplishments The First Six months of 2026!
Engage Estero’s Accomplishments The First Six months of 2026! Introduction If you’re feeling like the first half of 2026 flew by in the blink of an eye, you’re not alone. Yet in that short time, Engage Estero has been hard at work — and the achievements speak for...
Southwest Proton
Southwest Proton A News Update for June 2026 Written by Allan Bowditch, President, Engage Estero and Dr Shannon MacDonald, Medical Director at Southwest Florida Proton. Introduction Although it has been only 6 months since the Proton Center on Estero Parkway began...
Village of Estero Updates Its 5‑Year Capital Plan
Village of Estero Updates Its 5‑Year Capital Plan New Funding Tools Fuel Big Moves in Parks, Traffic, and Utilities Introduction The Village of Estero has released its updated 5‑Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) covering fiscal years 2026–27 through 2030–31. This...
Waste & Recycling Realities in Lee County
Waste & Recycling Realities in Lee County Guest author Brandi Freeman, FGCU Recycling plays an important role in protecting Southwest Florida’s environment, conserving natural resources, and reducing landfill waste. But many residents may not realize that...
A Heartfelt Thank You to Lanell and Jim Shields
A Heartfelt Thank You to Lanell and Jim Shields Every community has those rare individuals whose presence quietly lifts everyone around them. For Estero, Lanell, and Jim Shields have been exactly that, steady hands, generous hearts, and joyful partners in shaping the...
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer What you need to know! Part 1- Diagnosing Written by Allan Bowditch, President, Engage Estero, and Dr. Paul Rodriguez, MD, Urologist Introduction There has been considerable interest in this topic, possibly due to the new Southwest Proton facility,...
Coconut Point Proposal: How Estero Residents Can Actually Influence the Outcome
Coconut Point Proposal: How Estero Residents Can Actually Influence the Outcome Introduction. As debate intensifies over the proposed five-story apartment development at Coconut Point, many residents are asking an important question: But can the Village of Estero stop...
Multiple Sclerosis in Southwest Florida: What you need to know and Where you can get help
Multiple Sclerosis in Southwest Florida: What you need to know and Where you can get help Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable chronic disease of the central nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. This...
Traffic Emissions Near Schools: A Public Health Concern
Traffic Emissions Near Schools: A Public Health Concern Written by guest author Brandi Freeman, FGCU Traffic congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times is a familiar sight throughout Lee County, especially near schools serving Estero families. Long lines of...
The Doctor Dilemma
The Doctor Dilemma Understanding the Shortage and What it Means for You in the Future Introduction Patients in Southwest Florida are running into a combination of physician shortages, retirements, population growth, and health-system turnover, which can leave...
Engage Estero Is Seeking Its Next Generation of Board Leaders
Engage Estero Is Seeking Its Next Generation of Board Leaders Estero didn’t become what it is today by accident. It was carefully and deliberately shaped by residents who stepped forward, got involved, and gave back. Over the past 26 years, our nonprofit organization...
Why Resident Influence on Development in Estero Is Sometimes Limited
Why Resident Influence on Development in Estero Is Sometimes Limited Understanding the true factors behind development choices. Many residents have long been concerned about the pace of development taking place in Estero and along East Corkscrew Road outside the...
Leadership on Traffic Issues is Needed And It Starts With Us
If you live in Estero, you don’t need a study to tell you traffic is worsening. You feel it every day on I-75, Corkscrew Road, U.S. 41, and the backroads that used to be shortcuts. Growth is accelerating, infrastructure is struggling to keep up, and safety concerns...
Coastal Resilience: Preparing Southwest Florida for the Future
Coastal Resilience: Preparing Southwest Florida for the Future Written by guest author Brandi Freeman, FGCU Southwest Florida’s coastal communities face ongoing environmental challenges, including hurricanes, storm surge, and rising sea levels. Events such as...
Myth vs. Fact: Navigating Environmental Claims in Our Community
Myth vs. Fact: Navigating Environmental Claims in Our Community Written by guest author Brandi Freeman, FGCU Conversations about growth, development, wildlife, flooding, and water quality are becoming increasingly common across Southwest Florida. Social media and...
Signal Timing vs Road Widening at East Corkscrew Road
Signal Timing vs Road Widening at East Corkscrew Road Introduction In recent years, East Corkscrew Road has become a major commuter conduit due to housing development, easy access to Interstate 75, and a lack of alternative east-west roads. The once quiet, local...
Estero Residents Deserve Answers Regarding the I-75 Planned Expansion
Estero Residents Deserve Answers Regarding the I-75 Planned Expansion A Most Pressing Issue Is Traffic Safety And Congestion At Engage Estero’s April 17 Community and Member Meeting, residents gathered to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing Greater...
Estero River Park at Village Council Workshop
Estero River Park at Village Council Workshop The following comments were made in a presentation at to the Village of Estero Council on May 6, 2026. “The Village is advancing the strategic redevelopment of the ±32-acre publicly owned site within the Eco-Historical Hub...
Estero High Seniors Recognized
Estero High Seniors Recognized Senior Awards Night was held at Estero High School on Wednesday, May 6th for the Class of 2026. Many academic, athletic and technical education awards were announced and presented. The event started with a welcome by Principal Jennifer...
Improving Physicians’ and Pharma Companies’ Ability to Provide Optimal Solutions For Cancer Patients
Improving Physicians’ and Pharma Companies’ Ability to Provide Optimal Solutions For Cancer Patients Who and what is NEOGenomics? The company, based in Fort Myers, is a premier cancer diagnostics company specializing in cancer genetics testing and oncology data...
How Did we Get Here? Transportation in Estero & Southern Lee County
How Did we Get Here? Transportation in Estero & Southern Lee County Introduction On April 17, more than 130 residents packed the room for Engage Estero’s transportation forum. Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Don Scott opened with...
Concerns Expressed by Residents Along East Corkscrew Road
Concerns Expressed by Residents Along East Corkscrew Road Introduction Understanding East Corkscrew Residents: Key Insights from the 2026 Community Survey Residents of East Corkscrew Road in Estero are among the fastest-growing and most dynamic communities in...
Larry Kiker Preserve
Larry Kiker Preserve The Larry Kiker Preserve, which was originally intended for conservation, is currently being redesigned as a large water management project to help alleviate the problems of flooding and water quality within the area. While this is a good step for...
Corkscrew Road: The Land Remembered
Up to 52 million taxpayer dollars were budgeted for the expansion of Corkscrew Road, but up until now, residents have seen nothing but traffic and nuisance in return. Before Fort Myers and Corkscrew Road became what it is today, there was a rugged settlement of...
FGCU Engineering Students Bring Estero’s Future to Life
FGCU Engineering Students Bring Estero’s Future to Life On April 17, 2026 at the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagle X Poster Exhibition, innovation and community collaboration were on full display. The annual event featured dozens of student-led research and design...
In Memory: Lou Frattarelli
In Memory: Lou Frattarelli Hearing of Lou’s passing has brought deep sadness to all of us at Engage Estero. It is difficult to put into words the sense of loss we feel—not only for a dedicated leader but also for a truly good man whose presence made a difference...
East Corkscrew Road
East Corkscrew Road was erected in the 1930s, and in the early 2020’s, major expansions were implemented, transferring it from two to four lanes (2 on both sides). This change is due to the increasing population in Lee County. In another Engage Estero article it...
The Unseen Water Map: Wetlands, Drainage, Storm-Water Systems, Flood Concerns
The Unseen Water Map: Wetlands, Drainage, Storm-Water Systems, Flood Concerns East Corkscrew Road has continued to grow with improved accessibility and supported economic expansion. Due to the increase in new housing, commercial spaces, and road expansion, the water...
Southwest Florida Is Busy Again! So, Why Does the Southwest Florida Economy Still Feel Unsettled?
Southwest Florida Is Busy Again! So, Why Does the Southwest Florida Economy Still Feel Unsettled? If you've driven down U.S. 41, tried to secure a dinner reservation during peak season, or navigated the bustling traffic around Coconut Point, RSW, or Corkscrew Road,...
Where do Residents think the Village of Estero should Prioritize Its Efforts?
Where do Residents think the Village of Estero should Prioritize Its Efforts? The Engage Estero Survey (March 2026) Executive Summary The Engage Estero survey, conducted in March 2026, gathered responses from 664 residents to identify key priorities for its own...
Keeping Estero Beautiful: A Tribute to Julie Yellig and Our Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers
Keeping Estero Beautiful: A Tribute to Julie Yellig and Our Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers On Saturday, March 14th, the Estero Recreation Center was filled with a well-deserved sense of community pride as Julie Yellig hosted a pizza party to recognize the dedicated...
Understanding the Ecology and Function of Estero’s Storm Water Ponds
Understanding the Ecology and Function of Estero’s Storm Water Ponds Spring 2026 FGCU Student Essay Series East Corkscrew became a channel for conveying water because of increased development and stormwater systems and channel runoff through the area, but the...
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