Just a short drive from Grandezza are two wonderful natural gems offering opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and educational experiences: Pine Lake Preserve and Bonita Nature Place.
If you are familiar with the Bonita Springs YMCA on Terry Street, you have probably driven past Pine Lake Preserve without realizing it is directly across the street. This tranquil 174-acre preserve is easily walkable and offers several trails for nature lovers of all abilities. A 1.3-mile loop can be completed in about 20 minutes, while longer 3.5-mile trails provide more time to explore the preserve’s wetlands, oak forests, pine groves, and cypress swamps.
The lakes provide habitat for numerous species of birds, as well as alligators and otters. One particularly picturesque spot along the trail features a lily-covered lake that is beautiful and peaceful. Littoral zones have also been created along the pond’s banks to provide additional habitat for wildlife and help support the natural ecosystem.
Parking is available at the YMCA, and the preserve is easily accessible on foot through a pedestrian entrance directly across Terry Street. Restrooms and water fountains are available inside the YMCA. Pine Lake Preserve is open from dawn to dusk.
Just a short drive—or a walk from the YMCA—along Kent Road is Bonita Nature Place, a peaceful 30-acre nature center situated along the banks of the Imperial River. The center is open from 8 a.m. to dusk, and parking is available on site.
A visit offers an educational escape with plenty to discover, including a gopher tortoise preserve, a bee house containing an active beehive, a butterfly garden, and a bat house. The nature trail has some uneven terrain but leads visitors to the banks of the Imperial River, a coastal river that carries freshwater from the Corkscrew Regional Watershed toward the estuarine areas of Estero Bay.
The property features a variety of natural habitats, including oak hammocks, pine flatwoods, and riverine forests. The shaded nature trail takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes to walk and includes a kayak launch and even a whimsical fairy garden.
When Myrna and I visited recently, I was convinced I spotted fresh bear tracks along the trail. They certainly didn’t faze Myrna, who continued on without hesitation. What a brave hiker!
Bonita Nature Place is an especially nice destination when you have young visitors. The many educational features provide an opportunity for children to learn about Southwest Florida’s wildlife and natural environment while enjoying the outdoors. Occasionally, a naturalist is available to answer questions and help visitors make the most of their experience.
Depending on your interests and how much time you spend exploring, plan on approximately two hours for a visit to Bonita Nature Place.
Both Pine Lake Preserve and Bonita Nature Place are wonderful places to escape into nature without traveling far from Grandezza. Rather than trying to visit both in one day, consider making them separate outings. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, watch for wildlife, and appreciate the natural treasures right in our own backyard.
