River Oaks Preserve

A Private-Public Partnership that enhances our community while keeping government ‘lite’.

The Village of Estero purchased this 10-acre property at the eastern end of Broadway Avenue East in 2022. It is now called River Oaks Preserve and is currently being maintained by the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and their many volunteers.

The primary reason the Village acquired this land was to create a new stormwater pond and bypass ditch around Country Creek to prevent backups and flooding during future major storm events.

The property contains old oak hammocks, pine and palm trees and will serve the public as a passive park. It’s also home to gopher tortoises, butterflies, birds and an occasional bobcat and coyote.

In the beginning, the volunteers worked to remove the trash that had accumulated over the years, restore tortoise habitat, set up the nursery operation, and are now replacing the invasive plants with native plants.

The Village applied for and received $2,500,000 in funding to develop trails, a pedestrian bridge over the Estero River, a garage, restrooms, and extend water, sewer, and reclaimed water to the property.

The preserve is open on Sundays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. If you would like to get involved with this volunteer effort, you may either just show up on Sundays or Tuesdays during their working hours or you may call 239-273-8945 to offer your services.

2023 Concept Plan