FUNraising For The Paradise Coast Trail by Michelle Avola-Brown

Naples Pathways Coalition has several fun events coming up to help further our mission to create a safe, walkable, and bikeable community and build the Paradise Coast Trail.

The 17th Annual Iron Joe Turkey Ride will be held on November 28, 2021. It’s the Sunday after-Thanksgiving tradition for every level of bicycling enthusiast. The festivities will be based at the beautiful Eagle Lakes Community Park (11565 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, 34112), with 62, 40, 20, 10, and 5-mile safe and well-marked routes to choose from.

Participants are invited to enjoy a light breakfast at the park before they head out. There will be conveniently located rest stops to refuel along the way. At the finish, lunch will be catered by Baci Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. There will also be music, beer, raffles, and good times with new and old friends. Online
registration is now open at https://bit.ly/IronJoe2021. (Be sure to capitalize the I and J!) You will probably notice registration flyers at all the local bike shops and sponsor locations too. Be sure to pick one up and invite your friends!

We are grateful for generous support from London Bay Homes, Naples Airport Authority, Baci Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, Blue Zones Project SWFL, Big Momma’s Bicycles, The Bike Route, Blackwood’s Custom Bikes, Cycle Shack, ElliptiGo Naples, Island Bike, Naples Cyclery, Pedego, Trek, Vein Care Specialists, The Vitamin Bar, and Western Bike.

On February 5, 2022, we will be hosting the first Paradise Coast Trail Community Celebration at Baker Park from 1 to 4pm. This will be a free event for the public with lots of fun for children and adults. Some planned activities include a bike rodeo, children’s 1K fun run, bounce house, splash pad, park, and games. Kids can
bring their decorated bikes and win a prize in our bike decorating contest and parade. For adults, there will be several tasty food choices, cornhole, a pet parade, giveaways, and more!

The vendor expo will provide an excellent opportunity for nonprofits and businesses to showcase the services and products they provide to the community, offer fun activities for children and adults, and give away treats and treasures to make the day even more memorable.

London Bay Homes, TD Bank, Naples Airport Authority, and Kimley-Horn are the first sponsors to support this Paradise Coast Trail celebration. There are numerous sponsorship opportunities for nonprofit and corporate partners to engage with the public and highlight your brand. To get involved or learn more, please email Michelle@NaplesPathways.org.

If you haven’t yet heard, the Paradise Coast Trail will connect Naples, Ave Maria, Bonita Springs, and other areas within and beyond Collier County with a safe, 70 mile, 12-foot-wide multiuse pathway, separated from the road. It will expand transportation options, improve health and wellness, reduce our carbon footprint,
and provide an inviting destination to experience the Paradise Coast’s unique beauty on foot or bike.

Our third FUNdraiser event for the season is the 16th Annual Naples Bike Brunch at Lowdermilk Park on March 13, 2022. Enjoy the Gulf breeze and a light breakfast before starting on a 100, 62, 40, 20, 10, or 5-mile ride. Local bike shops will be on hand to help anyone with a flat, and well-stocked rest stops will
keep every rider fueled and hydrated. Lunch will be catered at the finish, and participants can relax in the beer garden, win raffle prizes, and soak up the beauty of the beach.

Michelle Avola-Brown Executive Director of Naples Pathways Coalition

Naples Pathways Coalition is a 501C3 non-profit advocacy group dedicated to improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and works to protect and provide equal access for vulnerable road users. We hope you mark your calendar and join us for all three of these fun upcoming events! For more information about these events, to volunteer, or learn about sponsorship opportunities, please email
Michelle@NaplesPathways.org or call 239.777.7718.