Repairs begin on small bridge into Matlacha Community Park

Park and boat ramp to close Aug. 24th, reopen Labor Day weekend

FORT MYERS – A contractor for the Lee County Department of Transportation will perform maintenance and repairs to the small timber bridge at the entrance to Matlacha Community Park and the park will be closed beginning Monday, Aug. 24.

The county plans to reopen the 26-foot bridge, the park and the boat ramp in time for Labor Day weekend.

Although the park will be closed to the public, work will continue on the Matlacha Fishing Pier, which also is being rebuilt. Staging for that project is at nearby Bat House Park, which remains open for anglers while its parking lot is being used for the pier project. Once the bridge into the park is repaired, construction vehicles will be able to use it and the lot at Bat House Park will reopen.

The fishing pier will reopen in Spring 2021, replacing the prior structure that was more than 50 years old and had deteriorated from the elements. The project will include new benches, garbage cans, lighting, fish cleaning stations and ADA accessibility features. The pier project is funded largely by Tourist Development Taxes on short-term lodging.

Further updates will be provided as needed.

Visit www.leegov.com/DOT or www.leegov.com/parks.