What the Village of Estero Is Building: RiverPark, SportsPark, the Rail Trail and Road Projects (2026-2027)

Most of the construction you see around Estero is private: apartments, shopping centers and new neighborhoods. But the Village of Estero itself is in the middle of its most ambitious building program since it incorporated in 2014. Its proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 was about $90.8 million, with roughly $76 million of that in capital projects, and it still claims the lowest municipal property tax rate in Florida.

This guide explains what the village is building, where, how much it costs and when it should be done. If you own a home in Estero, or are thinking about buying one, these projects will shape your property values, your commute and your weekends for years.

The Budget and Tax Rate

In July 2026, the Village Council set a proposed tax rate of 0.7300 mills, or 73 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, the same as the prior year and slightly below the rolled-back rate. On a home with $400,000 in taxable value, that is about $292 a year in village taxes. Most of your property tax bill goes to Lee County, the school district, fire and other districts; the village’s share is small.

The budget includes roughly $69 million of bond borrowing for parks. The council adopted the FY 2026-27 budget on September 23, 2026, keeping what it describes as the lowest tax rate in the state. Village Manager Steve Sarkozy has warned that a proposed homestead exemption change on the November ballot could cut village revenue by about $2.5 million in its first year.

Estero RiverPark

In January 2019, the village paid $24.5 million for about 62.5 acres at the northeast corner of US-41 and Corkscrew Road, land that had been approved for 530 homes and 300,000 square feet of commercial space. Instead of letting it be developed, the village set aside roughly 35 acres as permanent open space and preserve and began building what is now called Estero RiverPark, formerly known as “Estero on the River.”

• Phase 1 included the entry road, parking, a restroom, a 120-foot pedestrian bridge over the Estero River and mulch trails.
• Phase 2 adds more trails on both sides of the river, a perimeter fence and sidewalks along US-41 and Corkscrew Road.
• The Happehatchee Center, a nature and wellness center, is on the property, and the park is a partnership with the Estero Forever Foundation.
• A pair of bald eagles has nested on the site since 2022, so construction is restricted from October 1 to May 15 each year.

In June 2026, the council hired Kemper Sports to manage the park. For residents, RiverPark puts river views, trails and nature right at Estero’s busiest intersection, a short drive or bike ride from neighborhoods like Riverwoods Plantation, Pelican Sound and The Brooks.

The Eco-Historic Plan for Old Estero

In June 2026, the council accepted the Eco-Historic Planning Study, a 20-year vision for about 1,000 acres along US-41 from Estero Parkway to south of Williams Road, including Koreshan State Park and the village’s river property. The study, prepared by LandDesign and funded by a $450,000 federal disaster recovery grant, looks at how to preserve Estero’s historic core around the Koreshan settlement and the river while guiding growth. Several residents asked that the north side of the river property stay parkland. Expect this plan to shape future decisions about what gets built along US-41 near the river.

Estero SportsPark and the Entertainment District

Off Williams Road near Estero High School, the village is building the Estero SportsPark next to a private entertainment district.

• Phase 1, built by Suffolk, includes an entrance off Via Coconut Point, two practice fields, a lake and utilities. It was reported on schedule in June 2026 and expected to finish in late 2026.
• Phase 2, budgeted at about $26.9 million, adds two turf fields, a maintenance building, a great lawn, restrooms and a pavilion, with construction estimated to start in early 2027. Later phases are deferred until funding is available.
• High 5 Entertainment, a private venue next door with bowling, mini-golf, pickleball, an arcade and a restaurant and bar, is targeting a grand opening in early 2027.

For families, this is the biggest recreation addition Estero has seen. For homeowners near Williams Road and Via Coconut Point, it also means more traffic on event days. Read about the private side in our new businesses in Estero roundup.

The Bonita Estero Rail Trail

The Bonita Estero Rail Trail, or BERT, would convert an 11.4-mile, roughly 180-acre rail corridor running from Estero Parkway south to Wiggins Pass Road into a regional trail for walking and biking. The total purchase price is about $60 million, split among Estero (about $19.8 million), Bonita Springs (about $28.6 million) and Collier County (about $11.6 million).

• Estero’s council voted to buy its share in March 2026.
• Bonita Springs voters approved a bond for the trail by about 68% to 32% on August 18, 2026.
• Closing was targeted for October 2026, followed by 18 to 24 months of design.

If it comes together, BERT will be one of the most significant amenities in Southwest Florida: a continuous, off-road path linking Estero, Bonita Springs and North Naples. Homes within a short walk or bike ride of the corridor could benefit the way homes near rail trails in other states have.

Road Projects

The village’s capital plan also includes paths along Corkscrew Road, safety and drainage work on Broadway Avenue West, an intersection project at Williams Road and Atlantic Gulf Drive, and a signal at US-41 and Fountain Lakes. FDOT is studying I-75 between Golden Gate Parkway and Corkscrew Road, but no new interchange construction is scheduled. A planned Sandy Lane bike and pedestrian project was postponed after state funding was pulled.

Stormwater and the Estero River

Flooding along the Estero River after heavy rains in 2017, and again after Hurricane Ian in 2022, pushed stormwater to the top of the village’s list.

• North Branch Regional Pond: a large stormwater pond on village land along Three Oaks Parkway behind the post office, aimed at reducing flooding like the 2017 event. Grants total about $6.5 million ($4.9 million from FEMA and $1.6 million in disaster recovery funds). Design and permitting must be finished by March 31, 2027, and construction will need a separate grant.
• Estero River dredging: the capital plan included about $2 million for dredging, to be revisited as the budget was finalized.

If you are buying near the Estero River, ask about the home’s flood history, check the FEMA flood zone and keep an eye on these projects. Our hurricane guide for buyers explains what to ask.

Septic-to-Sewer and Utilities

Older neighborhoods west of US-41 still rely on septic tanks, which can leak nutrients into the Estero River and Estero Bay. The village is working to change that.

• Broadway Avenue West: a project of about $20.3 million, with about $15.2 million from FEMA, will bring central sewer and city water to Quarterdeck Cove, Estero River Heights, Cranbrook Harbor, Broadway Mobile Home Village and Holiday Drive. It was adopted in June 2026.
• Sunny Grove on US-41 is slated for a sewer extension, and the village has requested state funding for it along with reuse water lines for the SportsPark and Estero Parkway.

For homeowners in those neighborhoods, sewer conversion usually brings connection costs but can increase property values and remove the expense and worry of maintaining an aging septic system. Ask the village about connection fees and timing before buying in an affected area.

How to Follow Village Projects and Have a Say

Estero is a small government, and residents who show up do get heard. A few ways to stay informed:

• Council meetings are usually held on Wednesdays at Village Hall on Corkscrew Palms Circle, and the village posts a plain-English recap of each meeting on its website.
• Planning, Zoning and Design Board meetings are where new private projects first appear, often months before construction. Public information meetings let residents ask developers questions directly.
• Budget hearings each September set the tax rate and the capital plan for the coming year. Public comment is taken at both hearings.
• Village email updates cover road closures, storm preparations and project milestones.

If you live in an HOA, your association board often tracks nearby projects too. And if you are buying, ask your agent to check the village’s development map for any approved or pending projects near the home before your inspection period ends. Our Estero Newcomer Hub has links to village services, and our trash and recycling guide covers one of the first things new residents ask about.

What It Means for Homeowners

Taken together, Estero is investing in exactly the things that tend to support home values over time: parks, trails, cleaner water and better roads, without raising its tax rate. RiverPark and the Rail Trail in particular are the kind of signature amenities that can make a town more desirable for decades.

There are trade-offs. Construction brings detours and noise, the SportsPark and High 5 will add traffic around Williams Road, and growth east on Corkscrew Road continues to outpace road improvements. When you look at a home, ask what is planned within a mile of it. For the private side of Estero’s growth, read Estero developments for 2026-2027, and for the bigger picture, see our Estero, Florida guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: Village of Estero council recaps; Village of Estero RiverPark; Gulfshore Business; Bonita Estero Rail Trail; WGCU; Lee County DOT. Details change; confirm with the developer, club or agency before relying on them. Last updated October 2026.

About the Author: Sal DiBenedetto

Sal is a licensed real estate broker with The DiBe Group, brokered by eXp Realty, serving Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Southwest Florida. He follows Village of Estero council and planning decisions that affect homeowners. More about Sal · Contact