BOWDITCH POINT PARK (TDC) |
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| Address | Contact Information | Other Information | |
| 50 Estero Blvd Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 |
Paul Yacobelli (239) 765-6794 yacobep@leegov.com |
Programs |
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| Directions | Staff | Events | |
| Google Map/Directions | Staff allocated to facility's budget | Events Calendar | |
| Hours | |||
Dawn to Dusk 7 days a week.
Day Docks Open for Boaters at Bowditch Point! |
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| Information | |||
Bowditch Point Regional Park is 17 acres that is located at the northern tip of Estero Island. It is actually a dual use facility in which approx. 7 acres are a developed park for passive recreational use and the remaining 10 acres a restoration/preserve area. This serene location, which encompasses the entire end of the island, offers a choice of settings to fulfill your needs. The backbay offers quiet waters, peaceful surroundings and a close up look of vessels entering and exiting the bay. The gulf front is more active while still providing a relaxed atmosphere for walkers, swimmers and sunbathers. Walking trails, through the restoration/preserve area, carry you through varied environments and offers an excellent opportunity for bird watching while being highlighted by panoramic views of Estero Bay. This is one of the first beaches LCPR made accessible for individuals with disabilities from parking area to the Gulf of Mexico. There is also an accessible Boat dock. The park area also features tables and grills, available on a first come first serve basis, in a shaded tropical setting sure to please any picnicker. A concession area offers visitors a place to rest, a variety of food items, gifts and souvenirs. Restroom and changing facilities are available as well. There is access to over 75 parking spaces within the park at one dollar ($1.00) per hour. Time is sold in increments of one hour up to the maximum time allowed, no partial hours. Payment accepted in nickels, dimes, quarters, one dollar coins, one & five dollar bills and credit cards however, NO change is given or provided. Maximum vehicle length 20 feet, no trailer or vehicle trailer parking is permitted. |
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| History | |||
Bowditch Point Park was the only undeveloped property left on Estero Island that had shoreline on both the Gulf of Mexico and the back-bay (also known as Matanzas Pass). It was named after Nathaniel Bowditch, who was responsible for the perfection of celestial navigation that is still utilized to this day. It had little utilization, other than being used for spoil piles, which is the material that is removed (dredged) from the sea floor in order to make navigable channels for vessel use. This use led to it having the highest land elevation point on the island, 22 feet above sea level.
In the early 1970's there was an attempt made to develop it and in order to sell viable building sites, a seawall was installed. In places some of this wall is still visible and is now, quite some distance from the water. This was due accretion (tidal and wave actions) and over the years, the deposited sand, built up the land, which in turn would be taken over by vegetation, and that process repeating itself which continues on to this day. The County purchased the 17 acre facility in December of 1987. In 1992 ground was broken and it was developed for passive recreational use with the official "Grand Opening" in February 1994. It only had 10 accessible parking spaces with emphasis placed on a "Park & Ride" program for general public use. The facility remained without much change until 2002, at that time; the rest of the park was cleared of exotics, replanted with native vegetation and saw the addition of 75 parking spaces. Along with the addition of a butterfly gardens, trails and benches, placed not only for convenience, but with optimal views as well. A viewing area with an amphitheater style seating arrangement for enjoying the vistas of Sanibel Island, Gulf of Mexico, San Carlos Bay, Bunche Beach, Punta Rassa, and of course, the beautiful sunsets. Bowditch Point Receives Commercial Beautification Award: Excerpted from: The Island Sand Paper, May 15, 2009
Bowditch Pointe has made some great changes over the years...going from a low impact park to a very high usage, family oriented destination, offering sandy beaches, shaded picnic areas, fishing coves, boat dock, butterfly garden and tortoise area - all in an old Florida setting. |
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