This conceptual design, provided by Ensite of Fort Myers depicts the details of proposed recreational development of the Galt Preserve in St. James City.

With the restoration of the Galt Preserve in St. James City nearing completion, input for recreational use of the property was accepted from the community last week.

Members of Lee County Parks and Recreation along with a team of planners and engineers invited area residents to Matlacha to view proposed plans for the 269.96 acre preserve. Among the proposals are two miles of hiking trails, parking and picnic area, restroom facilities and a fishing pier.

“The hiking trail will be limited to foot traffic only, however, vehicles can drive onto the property along the access road to the parking area,” said site developer, Brain Smith with Ensite. “In keeping with passive use, there will be no electricity or potable water on the property, the toilets will be self-sustaining compost and the paths will be made with sustainable materials as well.”

Smith also said that the entrance will have a lockable gate and access will only be permitted from dawn until dusk.

In addition, the proposed plans also include a canoe and kayak ramping facility as well as boardwalks for viewing wildlife.

The recreational area to be developed is at the rear potion of the property and will cover 105 acres.

The majority of the people attending the input meeting were pleased with the proposed use.

“I think it is a very good plan and I am impressed with what they have shown us,” said Ed Chapin, ranger with the Calusa Land Trust. “Everything they have proposed is definitely in keeping with passive recreational use.”

Only one concern was voiced by a resident who lives on abutting property.

“My only concern is people crossing the property line,” said Mary Kaye Stevens. “I am hoping that they plan to run a fence along the south side of the property so that people don’t wander over onto private land.”

The Galt Preserve is located near mile marker 2 on Stringfellow Road approximately seven miles south of Pine Island Center and is bordered to the south by privately owned land and property used by Lee County Mosquito Control. The north end of the property is bordered by York Road and stretches from Stringfellow Road west to the water’s edge. The Galt Preserve contains 12 plant communities which include tidal swamps, mesic flatwoods, melaleuca monocultures, mixed exotics, borrow ponds and tidal marshes. The area also is home to a wide variety of animals. Among them are wading birds including white ibis, snowy egrets, little blue herons and animals such as gopher tortoise and alligators.

According to Smith, once all of the comments from last weeks input meeting are reviewed and addressed, his team will then begin the necessary permitting process which is expected to take nine months or less to obtain for work to begin on the property. Funding for the project will be provided in part with Conservation 20/20 money and through grants.

Recreational opportunities will include hiking, bird watching, nature study and photography, canoeing and kayaking and fishing.