News and Posts
Resident Information Tool
Resident Information Tool I have authored a few articles in the past for Engage Estero titled, “Where do I Live?”. This was necessitated resulting from numerous conversations with Greater Estero Residents. Understanding that most of us are from somewhere north, our...
Why is our infrastructure lagging behind residential and commercial development?
Why is our infrastructure lagging behind residential and commercial development? Introduction Many planners and researchers would say that Southwest Florida (SWFL) shows a larger-than-average disconnect between private development and public infrastructure than many...
Sustainability in Estero
Sustainability in Estero Our guest author this semester is Brandi Freeman, a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University majoring in Health Science. Her column will focus on sustainability - the impacts of environmental health, community well-being, and equitable access...
Engage Estero is putting its money where its mission is
Engage Estero is putting its money where its mission is This spring, we’re sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship for an Estero High School senior who writes the winning essay on the history of governance in the Village of Estero. In plain terms: we’re rewarding a student...
Important Update from the East Corkscrew Alliance and Engage Estero
Important Update from the East Corkscrew Alliance and Engage Estero Introduction. February was a busy month, with many meetings among the East Corkscrew Alliance (ECA), Engage Estero, and senior officials at the county and local government levels. Those involved...
The Power of Table Tennis/ Ping Pong
The Power of Table Tennis/ Ping Pong Not only does Table Tennis sharpen your hand-eye coordination, but it also helps with balance, improves your Pickleball skills, and has medical benefits. Purvi Naik is a very dedicated teacher who runs group sessions for those...
What are Your Priorities for Estero?
What are Your Priorities for Estero? Please let us know your opinion of Engage Estero. At Engage Estero, our mission is simple: to protect and enhance our community’s quality of life. To do that effectively, we need to hear directly from you. As our last survey was...
Another 360 pounds of litter removed from US 41!
Another 360 pounds of litter removed from US 41! Thanks to the incredible teamwork of our volunteers, 360 pounds of litter were removed from our community this month alone—now that’s impact! This month’s volunteers proudly came from Rapallo, Pelican Sound, RiverCreek,...
2025 Engage Estero Annual Report
2025 Engage Estero Annual Report Engage Estero is proud to announce the release of our 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of significant progress and growing responsibility in service to the Greater Estero community. As Estero continues...
What’s Behind This Major Cold Snap? Could Climate Change Play a Role?
What’s Behind This Major Cold Snap? Could Climate Change Play a Role? Adapted from an article by Eric Niiler, Feb. 7, 2026 If the planet is warming, many people are asking the same question: Why does this winter feel so brutally cold? It sounds like a...
The Retirement Crisis No One Warns You About!
The Retirement Crisis No One Warns You About! Introduction The following summary is drawn from Jennifer Breheny Wallace’s new book, “Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose,” which will be published by Portfolio on Jan. 27. The article below is...
East Corkscrew Road: What’s Been Built, What’s Underway, and What’s Coming Next
East Corkscrew Road: What’s Been Built, What’s Underway, and What’s Coming Next Introduction East Corkscrew Road — once a rural two-lane road — has become a significant growth area in Estero and eastern Lee County. Over the past 25-plus years (see Appendix 1 for a...
Economic Report for Estero Year Ending 2025
Economic Report for Estero Year Ending 2025 Introduction A recent report from FGCU’s Regional Economic Research Institute indicated that Estero’s economy is still growing, but at a slower rate than in prior years. Southwest Florida will always have a seasonal pulse,...
Can Alzheimer’s Disease ever be cured? There is hope!
Can Alzheimer’s Disease ever be cured? There is hope! Introduction As of 2025, approximately 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, representing about 11% of that age group—roughly 1 in 9 individuals. Various authoritative...
Southwest Florida Proton Center Now Accepting Patients
Southwest Florida Proton Center Now Accepting Patients Engage Estero is pleased to report that our local Proton Therapy organization, located on the northwest corner of Three Oaks Parkway and Estero Parkway and affiliated with Lee Health, is now accepting patients. As...
FGCU’s Students Write Articles For Engage Estero
FGCU’s Students Write Articles For Engage Estero Who says writing assignments have to be boring? This semester, Engage Estero teamed up with Professor Barbara Wright’s composition class at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) for a collaboration that brought local...
Climate Risks: Sea-level Rise, Storm Surge, Flooding in Estero
Climate Risks: Sea-level Rise, Storm Surge, Flooding in Estero Introduction Estero is a beautiful place to live. The tropical weather year-round, as well as quick access to the beaches, are also perks of living in Estero. This comes with risks though, due to hurricane...
Adopt A Highway Totals for December 2025
Adopt A Highway Totals for December 2025 What an incredible month of teamwork and community spirit! Together, Julie Yellig's Adopt a Highway volunteers collected 380 pounds of litter—bringing their total since the end of last season to an impressive 1,660 pounds....
What’s on Your Wish List for Our Greater Estero?
What’s on Your Wish List for Our Greater Estero? As we move through life and reach those milestone birthdays ending in “zero,” our holiday wish lists inevitably evolve. When we were young, it was all about circling toys in the Sears catalog. Later, it became clothes...
November Adopt a Highway
November's Adopt a Highway Volunteers Clean Up! Engage Estero is proud to kick off the 2025–26 road cleanup season, continuing a five-year community tradition led by Julie Yellig and supported by dedicated volunteers across Estero. This initiative began in 2020 with a...
Groundbreaking of the Village Entertainment Campus
Milestone for Estero The November 14, 2025 High 5 Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Estero Village Hub brought together community leaders, residents, and partners who share a vision for a stronger, more connected Estero. Among those in attendance were members of...
Engaging Estero: Veterans Day 2025
We are Engaging Estero Honoring Our Heroes in EsteroWhat a beautiful morning at Estero Park celebrating Veterans Day this past Saturday, November 8th. Grateful to live in a community that comes together to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and service of our veterans....
Esteros’ Poor Water Quality and Nutrient Pollution
Esteros' Poor Water Quality and Nutrient Pollution By Alex Rice and Jake Dobson, FGCU Students for Engage Estero IntroductionEstero is known for its proximity to beautiful beaches, aquatic ecosystems, and vast wetlands. But when you take a deeper look, you will find...
Archives and Resources: State Parks Near Estero, Florida
Archives and Resources: State Parks Near Estero, Florida This article is sourced from Florida, Kirsten Travis and Jaden Wheeler, Department of English, Florida Gulf Coast University. Introduction Florida’s state parks are home to some of the most beautiful, diverse,...
Update on Estero Village’s Utilities Expansion Program (Septic to Sewer)
Update on Estero Village's Utilities Expansion Program Introduction The Village staff and Council have been working on Utilities Expansion (potable water and sanitary sewer) since 2016. Like many government processes, it "takes time." Their focus: 1) clean up the...
The New Season (2025-26) for Cleaning Up Estero’s Roads has Begun!
The New Season for Cleaning Up Estero’s Roads has Begun! The Management Team and Board of Trustees at Engage Estero are pleased to let residents know that the enthusiasm and pride in our community is “alive and well!” Since 2020, Engage Estero’s effort, headed by...
Why Red Mangrove Trees are so Important in Southern Florida
Why Red Mangrove Trees Are So Important in Southern Florida The second of the FGCU student articles by Tanner Povey and Olivia Neild Southern Florida, known for many infamous hurricanes, discovered a new way of defending the fragile shoreline with the use of red...
Why Are There No Roundabouts on Estero Parkway?
Why Are There No Roundabouts on Estero Parkway? Engage Estero recently asked the greater Estero community to identify dangerous intersections or roads. Estero Parkway was mentioned for speeding and the ability to safely exit the communities of The Cascades of Estero...
Transportation Infrastructure: Addressing Funding Gaps
Transportation Infrastructure: Addressing Funding Gaps The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) https://leempo.com/, in its draft 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), has identified over $4 billion in transportation infrastructure requirements....
We are Engaging Estero
We are Engaging Estero On Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, Engage Estero’s Vice President of Development, Barry Freedman, gave an engaging 1-hour presentation to 40 active and involved Tidewater residents, covering key topics that impact our community. One of the main issues...
Celebrating Lou Frattarelli’s Retirement
Celebrating Lou Frattarelli’s Retirement Engage Estero is honored to recognize Lou Frattarelli, a remarkable leader, dedicated community advocate, and longtime friend of Estero. Lou has served for many years on the Engage Estero Board of Directors and as a valued...
Construction at FGCU Brings New Spaces and Modern Upgrades
Construction at FGCU Brings New Spaces and Modern Upgrades Inside the Cohen Student Union, the second phase of a major remodeling project officially begins. The renovations are designed to make the union more functional, comfortable, and visually appealing for...
Treating Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Vascular Dementia: Understanding the Differences.
Treating Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Vascular Dementia: Understanding the Differences. Introduction. Over the past 18 months, Engage Estero has published several articles on dementia. The focus is on this condition because it often affects people aged 65 and...
Engage Estero Donates $2,500 to Three Oaks Elementary School to Support STEM Initiative.
Engage Estero Donates $2,500 to Three Oaks Elementary School to Support STEM Initiative Three Oaks Elementary School is embarking on an exciting initiative with the creation of a dedicated STEM lab. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics....
Village of Estero’s 2025–2026 Budget
Village of Estero’s 2025–2026 Budget Protecting Property Values While Planning for Growth Engage Estero’s Perspective: Every fall, the Village of Estero undertakes one of its most vital tasks: preparing, presenting, and approving the annual budget. For property...
Sept. 19 MPO Meeting
MPO Budgeting Meeting on Sept. 19 SUMMARY The September 19, 2025 Lee County MPO meeting is where decisions will be made on how billions of dollars in local transportation funding are programmed over the next 5 years. Public input at this meeting helps ensure: Local...
Bonita Estero Rail Trail: Momentum Builds Toward Construction
Bonita Estero Rail Trail: Momentum Builds Toward Construction The Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) continues to gain traction as our community edges closer to turning the former Seminole Gulf Railway corridor into a 14.9-mile recreational trail linking Bonita Springs...
Conservation 20/20 Is Running Out of Time—and Money
Conservation 20/20 Is Running Out of Time—and Money Lee County’s beloved Conservation 20/20 program—the one voters approved in 1996 and reaffirmed in 2016 with an impressive 84% majority—is facing a crisis. The fund that buys and protects natural lands is running low....
Road Development Updates
Road Development Updates Update on Road Projects as of September 2025 Table of Contents FDOT I-75 LDOT Alico Three Oaks 951 Village of Estero Corkscrew Road Landscaping Corkscrew Road Multiuse Path Corkscrew Road Widening East of Bella Terra Sandy Lane Williams Road...
Residents’ I-75 Concerns and Actions Considered
Residents’ I-75 Concerns and Actions Considered Key Take-Aways 10-Lane Expansion Planned: The FDOT Southwest Connect™ project will expand I-75 from Corkscrew Road to Immokalee Road to 10 total lanes (five in each direction), including two express lanes. Critical...
Engaging the Future
Engaging the Future of Estero Engage Estero is proud to announce a new partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)! Our very own Terry Flanagan recently spoke to a freshman class at FGCU to inspire the next generation of community leaders. This partnership...
Hurricane Erin: A Warning We Can’t Ignore
Hurricane Erin: A Warning We Can’t Ignore Hurricane Erin just swept across the Atlantic, rapidly escalating from Category 1 to a Category 5 storm in less than 24 hours. Winds soared past 160 miles per hour, making Erin one of the fastest-intensifying hurricanes on...
What the Latest Regional Economic Research Institute Report Reveals About Estero and Southwest Florida
What the Latest Regional Economic Research Institute Report Reveals About Estero and Southwest Florida Each month, the Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) at Florida Gulf Coast University publishes a report on our local economy. The August 2025 edition...
Continuing the Journey Through Dementia Care Part 2
How to Handle a Family Member with Dementia Part 2 Introduction In Part 1, we explored the emotional and practical challenges that come with supporting a loved one living with dementia. From the early signs to more advanced stages, we highlighted how dementia can...
How to Handle a Family Member with Dementia Part 1
How to Handle a Family Member with Dementia, Part 1 Introduction 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...
Facing the Pain of Global Warming: “Partnering for a Stronger, Safer Estero”
Facing the Pain of Global Warming:“Partnering for a Stronger, Safer Estero” Global warming is no longer a distant threat—it’s a daily reality. From rising sea levels and extreme weather to disrupted food systems and health risks, its effects are being felt in Estero...
Engage Estero’s Healthcare Committee Update
Engage Estero's Healthcare Committee Update Introduction I am pleased to inform you that Dr. Brian Hurwitz was appointed Chair of the Engage Estero Health Committee earlier this year. Brian previously served as Chair of its Cardiovascular Health Subcommittee, where he...
The 2025 Florida Transportation Bill
The 2025 Florida Transportation Bill Introduction On June 19, the Florida Senate passed the attached Transportation Bill. The summary below highlights some of the key and interesting elements of the bill that our Greater Estero residents may want to know about. A more...
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