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About

A 56 acre area designed to cleanse water that runs into the Caloosahatchee River features bike trails, bird watching, walking trails, jogging, nature study/photography, on-leash pet walking and a picnic area.

Projects and Improvements

City Investment in Water Quality
Click here to view the presentation to city council. 

Creek dredging and restoration projects
The state legislature approved $1M in the FY2020-21 budget to help the city complete the final phase of dredging and restoration of Billy Creek. The first phase of the creek dredging project was completed in 2019, removing in excess of 12,000 cubic yards of sediments and restoring natural wildlife habitats. Reduced local flooding is also an overall benefit of the project.

Neighborhood improvements
Over the past six years, the city spent more than $10M on rehabilitation projects to improve water quality in and around the creek. The projects include neighborhood utility/lift station upgrades (Cleveland Grove and Brookhill areas), erosion control (Fort Street Canal armoring), exotic vegetation removal and the construction of the Fort Street Preserve wetland treatment system to intercept and treat seasonal runoff discharging into Billy Creek (eventually reaching the Caloosahatchee). In addition, the city spends in excess of $100,000 annually on maintenance and monitoring of creek outfalls. 

City monitoring and evaluation of Billy Creek

The city monitors monthly bacteria levels in Billy Creek inflows, and performs all testing required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In addition, the city partners with Lee County and all other municipalities within the Caloosahatchee Watershed to collectively address pollution threats and sources. To read the latest press release on water quality testing click here. 

City involvement in creek and filter marsh cleanups
City staff coordinates cleanups, routinely working with groups such as Keep Lee Beautiful, Friends of Billy Creek, Adopt a Canal (Wright Construction/four cleanups per year), and FGCU/FSW student volunteers. City staff and volunteers perform 8-10 cleanups per year. 

The City’s Sanitation Division provides equipment and collects any trash and debris resulting from the cleanup. The City’s Stormwater Division coordinates volunteers and supplies/equipment as needed. The Stormwater Division also mows the canal rights of way and creek banks in preparation for scheduled cleanups.

The City is committed to the care and maintenance of Billy Creek and will continue to be a champion of this important natural resource.

Billy Creek Preserve Clean-up with FGCU 

The City of Fort Myers recently teamed up with FGCU for a clean-up of Billy Creek Preserve and Filter Marsh, Billy Creek and Ford Street Preserve. Students had the opportunity to earn service learning hours, gain understanding of sustainability and learn the importance of keeping our environment clean. Over the course of the two day student clean up, more than 12 cubic yards of trash was cleaned up and properly disposed of. That is enough to fill two commercial sized, green dumpsters.