Lee Commissioners continue commitment to Parks & Recreation facilities and coastal amenities

06/24/2026

The Lee Board of County Commissioners continued its commitment to Parks & Recreation facilities with votes to repair and maintain coastal amenities that are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

The projects include beach boardwalks, Bonita Beach Park, Bowditch Point Park, ADA accessibility, and construction engineering and inspection services for the Fort Myers Beach Pier rebuilding.

Bonita Beach Park and accesses 

The board awarded a contract to repair and restore Bonita Beach Park, Bonita Beach Access No. 1, and Little Hickory Island (Beach Access No. 10), including the boardwalks, pavilions, showers, landscaping and parking lot restoration. The restroom building at Little Hickory Island Beach Park will be replaced, while the Bonita Beach Park restrooms and county office building will be repaired.

The project will be funded through Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Legislative Appropriations Program, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance, the general fund and Tourist Development Taxes on short-term lodgings. The $6.95 million contract is with O-A-K/Florida Inc.

Fort Myers Beach boardwalks and accesses, plus additional Bonita Beach accesses

The board awarded a contract to reconstruct / repair eight boardwalks damaged by Hurricane Ian, including:

  • Fort Myers Beach Access No. 41 on Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach.
  • Bunche Beach Boardwalk and Fishing Platform A on John Morris Road, Fort Myers.
  • Bonita Beach Accesses Nos. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 on Hickory Boulevard on Bonita Beach.

 

The $1.1 million construction contract is with Marine Contracting Group Inc.

Bowditch Point Park

The board awarded a contract to repair and restore the 17-acre Bowditch Point Park to full operation and improve accessibility, safety and functionality for residents and visitors.

The project includes repairs to park buildings, boardwalks, parking areas, sidewalks, picnic areas, beach access points, trails, shelters and other park amenities, as well as replacement of the 22-slip boat dock.

The $3.9 million contract with Vantage Construction Services LLC will be funded through Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Legislative Appropriations Program, the general fund and Tourist Development Taxes on short-term lodgings.

ADA accessibility

The board funded the installation of an ADA access mat at Fort Myers Beach Access No. 43 with post-and-rope guidance to provide public access to the beach. This modification is required to comply with updated Fort Myers Beach permitting requirements. This project will be funded through Tourist Development Taxes.

Fort Myers Beach Pier

The board awarded a contract for construction, engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. This project will be funded through the FDEM Legislative Appropriations Program.

The Board of County Commissioners approved the contract for the reconstruction and enhancement of the pier in April, which will extend the pier to roughly 1,000 feet long and 12 feet wide, or more than 70% longer and 50% wider than the pier destroyed by Hurricane Ian. The project is awaiting federal permit approvals.

The CEI consultant, Hardesty and Hanover Construction Services LLC, was contracted for $1.4 million to provide essential oversight needed to ensure the pier is built to specifications. The consultant will handle construction administration, inspection services and environmental compliance monitoring.