A lovely stroll between Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach
FORT MYERS, FL – Pedestrians and bicyclists in the Sanibel / Fort Myers Beach area now have a brand new area to explore, as Shell Point Retirement Community recently completed a two-mile-long bike path which is open to the public.
“The path that parallels Summerlin Road used to end at Shell Point Boulevard,” explains Bob Southern, director of project development for Shell Point. “Now, people who are biking from the beach or other nearby communities can crossover into Shell Point and enjoy another two miles of scenery.”
What can walkers or joggers see along the asphalt path? “It runs along the boundary of a 400-acre wetlands preserve,” said Southern, “so there are always herons and ospreys and other native birds to watch. A nearby bald eagle often fishes out there. Plus, people can visit the Shell Point Golf Club, which is open to the public.”
At the end of the path is The Island at Shell Point, Florida’s largest lifecare retirement community. Founded in 1968, Shell Point recently expanded its services along its two-mile “driveway” to include a new community (The Woodlands at Shell Point), the championship Shell Point Golf Club, and a new Country Inn and Suites hotel. “Many of our 1,600 residents had requested this bike path,” said Southern, “and we knew that the surrounding communities in Lee County would also benefit from its use.”
In cooperation with Lee County, which owns the road, Shell Point paid to construct and pave the eight-foot-wide asphalt path in late March. In return, the county agreed to reimburse a portion of its impact fees for Shell Point’s next construction project, a new residential building in The Woodlands community.
“Now our residents who ride bicycles can stay on a safe sidewalk all the way from our community to Fort Myers Beach,” said Southern. “They can even bike to the end of Captiva if they are so inclined.”
The new bike path is located along Shell Point Boulevard, just two miles before the Sanibel Causeway (click here for a map). The public is welcome to utilize it for walking, jogging, and bicycling. Shell Point offers tours of its community Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; call the Welcome Center at (239) 466-1131 to schedule a tour. For tee times or information about the Shell Point Golf Club, call (239) 433-9790.
