Took a while but I got an update. The whole thing is at a stand still for right now.

Fred Johnson the project planner for the Lee County OHV park said ---->



Good morning:

 

Many of you have mailed me comments and questions regarding the proposed OHV park project.  I hope this will clarify the situation for you.

 

The land on which we were planning to create the OHV Park is not under the control of Lee County Parks, or indeed, Lee County. Since the meeting last Fall, several issues (not directly related to OHV use) arose and the use of the land was denied (perhaps temporarily). We are currently working to resolve this dilemma.

 

John Waldron and the Division of Forestry contributed $70k and OTG contributed about $440k as grants to Lee County for the ATV Park development. Lee County, at this time, has no land on which to build the park and since the grants are tied to a specific piece of property, Lee County has been unable to accept the grants. We have asked for and been permitted an extension on the time limit for accepting the grants.  In the meantime, Lee County is examining several possibilities to acquire the appropriate amount of land for the OHV facility. If we can make this happen, the grants can be accepted by Lee County. In terms of a timetable, we are working toward resolving issues within the next several months.

 

At this point there is nothing for you to do. When we acquire the land, Lee County Parks will be calling on you for your support. I shall keep you posted.

 

 

Fred Johnson

Planning Manager

Lee County Parks and Recreation

3410 Palm Beach Boulevard

Fort Myers, Florida 33916

 

239 461 7474

 

As far as "acquiring land" goes, Lee County owns 1,215 contiguous acres right off of SR 82 out towards Alabama. It looks like it's mostly pasture land from the aerial, but it's out of the way, and surrounded by orange groves & land owned by Florida Rock, so there's not many houses nearby.

Since it's been over a year since this thread was started I figured I'd check up on the status. I got this email from Fred Johnson today:

Good morning, Mr. Allen,

 

At this point a proposed ATV facility by Lee County is “on hold”. Issues have arisen which include available land, costs of development and maintenance and, of course, the current and future budget constraints imposed on us. I am continuing to monitor the situation and I speak with John Yarbrough, Director of Lee County Parks, frequently about the situation. When there is information, I shall pass it along. In the meantime, feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

 

Fred Johnson

Planning Manager
Lee County Parks and Recreation
3410 Palm Beach Boulevard
Fort Myers, Florida 33916.

Oh, by the way, this is my first post here. I've been lurking since I bought my bike back in 04 (04 2wd Rancher ES).