Councilman Warren Wright

Filter Marsh Passive Park Becomes Reality for City of Fort Myers Councilman, Warren Wright 

A first of its kind venture between 20/20 Conservation, City of Fort Myers, South Florida Water Management District and the Housing Authority have designed the Billy Bowlegs Filter Marsh Passive Park.

In a truly original and bold move, this design  presents some unique and rich opportunities for conservation and environmental rehabilitation of the filter marsh.

The Filter Marsh project will encompass the filter marsh system including a controlled weir structure which will divert flows from the channelized portion of Billy’s Creek into a one acre lake and approximately eleven-acres of constructed filter marshes.  Filtered water will then flow down into the Caloosahatchee within the City.  This park will occupy five acres of jurisdictional wetland areas to restore and preserve damaged cypress hammocks. 

In addition, the passive park will provide pedestrian and cycling trials adjacent to the Billy’s Creek Canal, picnic areas and kayak and canoe launches leading into Billy Bowleg Park.

With all parties in agreement, the final decision rests with the Lee County Commission to clear the path for the creation of the Billy Creek Filter Marsh Passive Park.

This project has potential to have a huge ripple effect on East Fort Myers, allowing it to be a source of pride and stimulus for an area deeply underserved.

South of the proposed park, the Housing Authority is building their Renaissance Village affordable housing community.  West of the proposed filter marsh project is Billy Bowlegs Park

With careful planning this concentrated area is primed to improve.  It is a part of a larger area, Ward 1, which has long been ignored.  It has taken several years to get all these pieces into place.  With cooperation and excitement from so many different people, a new vision may soon be realized for East Fort Myers.  Residents will have a growing sense of pride, inspiring them to reinvest in their neighborhood. 

Through renovation, restoration and conservation of Billy’s Creek and surrounding areas, several community benefits will not only serve those within the East Fort Myers area but will also reach out to enhance inhabitants and waterways of the entire south Florida area.