Why the Paradise Coast Trail is Vital to the Bonita Estero Rail Trail by Michelle Avola-Brown

Why the Paradise Coast Trail is Vital to the Bonita Estero Rail Trail and Why the Bonita Estero Rail Trail is Vital to the Paradise Coast Trail

by Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive Director,
Naples Pathways Coalition

The Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) and the Paradise Coast Trail are not simply neighboring trail projects. They are strategic pieces of one continuous regional active-transportation network. When connected, they transform what would otherwise be local
trails into a true Southwest Florida mobility corridor that benefits residents, businesses, and visitors across county lines.

Southwest Florida is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes increasing congestion, safety concerns, and demand for outdoor recreation. The Bonita Estero Rail Trail and the Paradise Coast Trail together represent a once in a generation opportunity to build a safe, continuous, and connected trail network linking Lee and Collier Counties.

Individually, each trail would serve thousands of residents every week. Connected, they create something far more powerful: a regional spine for active transportation and recreation stretching across the heart of Southwest Florida.

The Bonita Estero Rail Trail is the critical northern gateway for the Paradise Coast Trail that will connect our trail to become part of the 420-mile Florida Gulf Coast Trail that will span from Naples past Tampa!

One of the most strategic segments of the Paradise Coast Trail is the portion running along Livingston Road and the Veterans Memorial Boulevard corridor where a Project Development and Environment Study is currently underway. This section sits at the northern entryway of Collier County, where Naples is rapidly growing toward Bonita Springs and the Lee County line. Today,
Livingston Road carries heavy traffic and serves as a major north–south artery for commuters, families, and students, but it offers limited safe space for people who want to walk, run, or bike. The Paradise Coast Trail segment planned for this corridor will create a safe, separated multi-use pathway that connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, and employment centers while moving residents safely through one of the region’s fastest-growing areas. Just as importantly, this corridor is the critical bridge between Collier County and the Bonita Estero Rail Trail.

When the Livingston/Veterans Memorial segment of the Paradise Coast Trail reaches the county line, it sets the stage for a seamless connection into BERT, linking Naples, Bonita Springs, and Estero into a continuous regional trail system. In this way, the Livingston Road corridor is more than a local improvement; it is the southern entryway that allows the Bonita Estero Rail
Trail and the Paradise Coast Trail to function as one connected network, unlocking safe mobility, recreation, and economic opportunity across Southwest Florida.

The Paradise Coast Trail will be a 100-mile multi-use trail network connecting Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Immokalee, Ave Maria, Everglades City, and other communities.

By linking into this system, the Bonita Estero Rail Trail becomes:
• Part of a major destination trail network rather than an isolated corridor
• A draw for regional tourism and outdoor recreation
• A key connector between Lee County communities and Collier County destinations
• A catalyst for economic development, trail-oriented businesses, and property value enhancement
• And the relationship works both ways. The BERT allows the Paradise Coast Trail to:
• Extend its reach into Lee County, connecting to a larger population base
• Provide a safe corridor for commuters and students traveling between communities
• Become part of a larger Florida Gulf Coast Trail system that could ultimately connect to several statewide trail networks.

In a nutshell, the Paradise Coast Trail provides scale, continuity, and long-term vision that elevates the Bonita Estero Rail Trail beyond a short, standalone project, and the BERT gives the Paradise Coast Trail regional relevance and expanded impact.

Together, the two trails create the kind of long-distance experience that attracts cyclists, walkers, runners, and visitors from across the region and beyond. And the benefits multiply too:

Safer Transportation – A continuous, separated trail provides a safe alternative to high-speed roadways, reducing conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles.

Economic Development – Trails across the country consistently generate millions in economic impact, supporting restaurants, bike shops, lodging, and outdoor recreation businesses.

Health and Quality of Life – Connected trails make it easier for residents of all ages to walk, run, and bike for recreation and daily transportation, improving public health and community vitality.

Regional Connectivity – The combined trail system links neighborhoods, parks, schools, employment centers, and downtown areas, helping people move safely without needing a car.

A Generational Opportunity – The Bonita Estero Rail Trail and the Paradise Coast Trail represent a rare moment when two counties can align vision, infrastructure, and community support to create a transformational regional asset.

Together, BERT and the Paradise Coast Trail will form the backbone of an active transportation network that helps define the future of Southwest Florida, gaining a safe, healthy, and inspiring corridor that will serve generations of residents and visitors alike. To learn more and help blaze the trail, visit NaplesPathways.org.

We invite you to get involved in our advocacy work by joining Naples Pathways Coalition or donating to support our mission to create a safe, walkable and bikeable Collier County.

Visit https://naplespathways.org/get-involved