Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Old Golf Course

Old Golf Course

I am extremely energized to write to the people of SW Florida to save the  Cape Coral Golf Course. The other night I heard the coyote pup barking and singing. And I live a  six blocks from the course. It literally lit up my life. To hear a wild animal on the course surrounded by thousand of houses was fantastic. Every person that loves the wildlife   needs to get on the band wagon and support the Lee Counties 20/20 land buying program in buying the course or the county procuring it There are three ways the county could purchase it. Through 20/20 funds, Lee County Parks and Rec could buy it or the county could procure it  like they did get Edison Farms.Then we could preserve the course for all the wild animals that live there If the county handed over the  golf course to 20/20 to maintain it.Saving the city  thousands in taxes  over the years to maintain it.

Why to we need to preserve it it for the wildlife?  Our children and there children will benefit from seeing the wildlife as well  the tourists and the residence. Wildlife viewing  is a two billion plus industry in the world. Thousands of people that visit the Cape every year would flock to the park to see the wildlife . There are five endangered or threatened species on the golf course. The American  Kestrel, the Miami butterfly, the tri colored heron,. gopher tortoise and burrowing owls live there.Other animals living on the land are the fox,bobcat, otter, great horned owls , eagles,squirrels , rabbits, ducks( to include Muscovy) and butterflies. The bird count two years ago produced about fifty species of birds and fifteen kinds of butterflies If there is going to be any commercial development  the city must work to save all of this wildlife. Be advised the bobcat, fox,and coyotes will need at least 160 acres to be preserved and not driven off.

How we we derive revenue on the course? Any bike riders, joggers, birders and fishermen could pay an annual fee for using the biking , hiking trails,ponds and general use of the park. A modest fee for one day visitors could be charged Use dispensers to collect the money like Ding Darling. Fees could be charged for camping and pavilion use for picnics, etc.

A proposal   of ten  million from the county and  two million from the city  to buy the property. Then there could be a cooperative partnership between the two which would be a win win between both entities.Then Cape Coral could control some of the park. What a great way to build a senior center and boys and girls club . There could be indoor tennis courts, handball , pickle ball, pool hall card room, basketball court ,meeting rooms and maybe a thousand seat theater to rival other theaters in the area.A five star restaurant,pool, putting green and a snack bar could be some other things the city could spearhead.

We could introduce deer , quail, hogs and other wild animals to make a Florida wildlife zoo . tAnother revenue item for this land.

If you support the 20/20 program or the county to buy the old golf course or just to buy it as a park please contact through email or phone these council people: Jennifer Nelson, jnelson@capecoral.net and D.Stokes, dstokes@capecoral.net You may call them at 239-574-0436 , No new taxes if the county buys it!

Carl Veaux, I speak for all the wild animals.
3705 SE 3 rd Place
Cape Coral, FL 33904

239-549-7265