Welcome Downtown Bonita Springs is a unique destination for every age and is filled with enchantment worth celebrating. A new area to live, work and play! Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 1
Welcome To Downtown Bonita Downtown Bonita Springs welcomes you with charm and tradition. Visitors are delighted to find a variety of dining opportunities in the downtown area. Cuisine includes Mexican, organic, homemade ice cream, delicious bbq and much more. There is ample opportunity for leisure in downtown Bonita Springs. Enjoy a lazy afternoon picnic shaded by trees that create a canopy above and filter in rays of sunlight. Pass the afternoon away as the Spanish moss sways lightly in the breeze. Stop in the local shops in search of treasures or visit the historic artist cottages. Shop for farm fresh produce, rent a bicycle, rent a kayak or paddle board and enjoy the Imperial River. 2 Night and Day historic bonita springs
Downtown is anchored by a recreational mecca with Riverside Park, the Historic Liles Hotel Plaza, Lion s Pride Natural Playground, and Island Park all in proximity. The green space boasts the stately bandshell that was dubbed, 2013 Best Venue of SouthWest Florida by the Naples Daily News. The community pride is apparent in the stoic memorials to both Veterans and 9/11 victims. Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 3
Things To Do Downtown Downtown Bonita Springs offers something for everyone Dining, a Historical Museum, canoeing on the Imperial River, and a full calendar of special events like the Blues Festival, Celebrate Bonita and the National Art Festivals. 4 Night and Day historic bonita springs
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Things To Do Explore History Take a stroll through the past in the downtown district. Enjoy the unique architecture of its many historic buildings, or view a history exhibit in The Liles Hotel in Riverside Park. The Artist Cottages Located in Riverside Park on Old 41, the artist cottages are renovated historic fishing cottages. The Imperial River cottages were built in 1945. Originally located on the edge of the Imperial River, their bungalow style was common at the time and they feature boardand-batten siding and gabled roofs. Newly renovated, they offer an enchanting selection of handmade jewelry, paintings, sculptures and more. Come check out some of these masterpieces being made right here in our community! The Artist Cottages are open to the public on Sundays during season. 6 Night and Day historic bonita springs
The Liles Hotel Also located at Riverside Park, the Liles Hotel was built in 1926. The Bonita Springs Historical Society has exhibits in the public areas of the hotel, and has decorated a first floor room as a period bedroom of the 1930 s. The second floor is used as a history resource center and meeting space open to the public. The Liles Hotel located in Riverside Park The Fleming House The Fleming House was built in 1929 in the folk pyramidal, Bungalow style. It has become a signature landmark on Old 41. The home was originally owned by John and Jessie Fleming. Jessie was a respected teacher, volunteer, and activist in Bonita. Jessie was well known for giving music lessons to children, whether or not they could pay. Today the home remains in the family, and is the home of their grandniece. The Fleming House Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 7
Shangri La Springs The natural spring for which Bonita Springs is named is located on the grounds. The Native Americans believed the spring to have healing properties, and the land around it a sacred place. In 1921, the Heitman family constructed the first grand building on eight acres of land as a 25-room hotel. Today the Shangri-la Springs is a wellness and learning Center. It offers the public a variety of classes, events, organic dining, a full-service organic spa and more. Everglades Wonder Gardens Established in 1936 by brothers Bill and Lester Piper during the golden age of roadside attractions, the Everglades Wonder Gardens has been delighting visitors for generations. Now a not-for-profit, this 3-1/2 acre historic gem features an 80-year-old botanical jungle showcasing rescued birds and reptiles who found their forever home. However, evidence of its origin as a roadside attraction remains, making it one of the few remaining historic resources of it s kind. 8 Night and Day historic bonita springs
Day Trip Idea Explore Bonita s History First check out the complete list of the historical buildings downtown by visiting the website BonitaSpringsHistoricalSociety.org. Make a list of those you would like to visit. Sundays during season the Liles Hotel and artist cottages are open. View the exhibits on display at the Liles Hotel, then tour the cottages. Directly across the street is Benson s Grocery. Benson s was built in the early 1900 s, and was originally Frank s Garage. Frank s Garage has a special claim to fame: it was the birthplace of the Swamp Buggy in 1921. Benson s Groceries now has a mural depicting the history of Bonita Springs on its northern wall. The history within the mural spans from the Calusa Indians to the present day. Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 9
Arts & Culture When it comes to art, Bonita is proud of its local creations and its commitment to the Arts. Pottery As Art downtown. Art in Public Places Downtown you will discover a public art collection that is a part of the Art in Public Places Program. Public Art on display includes The Secret Bench of Knowledge by Lea Divot, Setting the Pace, Lords of the Forest and The Ties that Bind from Colorado artist Jane DeDecker, with a mixed media work titled Imperial River History by David Kellum. The City plans to have several murals in the downtown area. Alex Nunez s My Beautiful Town on the north wall of Benson s Grocery is the first of a series of murals that will appear downtown. 10 Night and Day historic bonita springs
This mural depicts the history of Bonita Springs from the Native Americans and their hunting instruments to the present day. The mural program is a public-private partnership in which the business property owner makes available one of their exterior walls, the artist prepares the site and does the rendering, and the city provides the budget to cover the work. Art Galleries & Exhibits Downtown Exhibits at Local Businesses Various local downtown businesses host and display art exhibits. For more information please call or visit the downtown businesses. Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 11
Art Events in Riverside Park Riverside Park hosts many events with live music and entertainment. The National Art Festival is rated one of the top Fine Art Festivals in the USA. Hosted by the Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs, the Festival features original paintings, glass, jewelry, clay works, mixed media, sculpture and photography. New artists are selected for each of the three weekend events that take place from January to March. The National Art Festival takes place three weekends a year. Day Trip Idea Use the Art in Public Places Map and Guide to locate the pieces downtown. Treat it as an outdoor gallery on a lovely day. Discuss each piece, its features and the meaning of the title the artist gave it. Have a picnic under the banyan tree in the Liles hotel area of Riverside Park. 12 Night and Day historic bonita springs
Recreation On the Imperial River The Imperial River makes a lovely kayak, canoe, or paddle boarding trip under a canopy of oak and pine trees. The water is clear enough to see fish, turtles and, if you re lucky, even manatees. Winding through Bonita Springs into Estero Bay on the Gulf of Mexico, it eventually narrows into a windy cypress-lined spot. Where to Launch An excellent place to launch is in downtown Bonita Springs, at the floating dock at Depot Park. Bring your own kayak or canoe and launch off the dock to enjoy a day on the river. Calusa Ghost Tours - a tour company specializing in paddling trips through historic parks and archaeological sites. Their services include kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, guided tours, instruction, and sales. Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 13
The Upstream Route This direction takes you two or three miles to where the river goes under I-75. The river has a beautiful, natural shore with mangroves and sandy banks. It is lined with ancient trees which provide a shady canopy much of the way. Every minute is scenic. More seasoned kayakers prefer this route during rainy season because of the swift current that provides a challenging course. The Eastern Route Along the eastern route cypress trees and their knobby knees dominate the landscape. The trail gets twisty and you feel as if, you are suddenly in an ancient, untouched southwest Florida. 14 Night and Day historic bonita springs
Parks Riverside Park Riverside Park is the gem of Downtown Bonita Springs. The park sparkles with ambience created by a mixture of historical richness and modern innovation. Riverside Park is home to the band shell, the artist cottages, and the Liles Hotel. During season, Riverside Park hosts events every weekend. With the Imperial River flowing through, it is a perfect spot to picnic, kayak, and canoe. Whether taking a stroll through the cottages on a warm night or picnicking with your family, Riverside Park has something for everyone. Entry to the park is free. Parking is also free. Location 10451 Old 41 road, and sits on the Imperial River. Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 15
Depot Park Is located across the rail road tracks on the west side of Riverside Park. It offers the shade of giant oak trees, and is a beautiful spot to walk or have a picnic on for both yourself and your dog. Depot Park is dog-friendly, and also offers a separate playground for children. Children's Natural Playground Lions Pride Park at Depot Park features a special natural playground for children. You can bring your furry friends Depot Park is dog-friendly and offers a beautiful, scenic walking area for you and your furry friend. 16 Night and Day historic bonita springs
Special Events Free Events Offered by the City of Bonita Springs For Information: www.cityofbonitasprings.org Call City Hall (239) 949-6262 Fall Patriot Day Service takes place every September 11th at 6 p.m. at the Liles Plaza Hotel, 27300 Old US 41 Road. Posting of the Colors in the Patriot Day Service. RiverFest/Autumn Festival takes place on a Saturday in October at the Liles Hotel area of Riverside Park, located at 27300 Old US 41. Free event. A day of fun for all ages. Activities include live music, hayrides, pony rides, pumpkin patch, Imperial River canoe and kayak races, petting zoo, cornhole contest, old-fashioned fish fry, rubber duck race and more. Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 17
Crowd at RiverFest watching the river races The old-fashion fish fry is a long-standing tradition of the RiverFest/Autumn Festival. Veterans Day Ceremony The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces. The ceremony takes place each year on November 11th at 11a.m. at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St. Winter Holiday in the Park A blizzard in the park marks the first Tuesday of December each year in Bonita Springs. This magical event each December includes a blizzard in the park, giant snow slide, snow-fall area for kids, live holiday music, free holiday train and horse drawn carriage rides, apple cider, cookies and more. Children also watch as Mr. and Mrs. Clause arrive in Bonita Springs. Holiday in the Park Snow flurry at Holiday in the Park 18 Night and Day historic bonita springs
Spring Celebrate Bonita Bonita Springs is known for throwing one of the biggest birthday bashes in Southwest Florida and everyone is welcome. The annual festival includes live music, children s activities, and rides for children. The free concert in beautiful Riverside Park attracts a wide range of ages with previous acts such as country music legend Tanya Tucker, and Grammyaward winning Thompson Square. Memorial Day Service This service in Riverside Park honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the country s armed forces. Memorial Day takes place every year on the last Monday of May. Summer Star Spangled Bonita July 4th celebration offers a parade, laser-lightshow and a Fireworks Display each year. July 4th fireworks with a laser light show Movies in the Park The Movies in the Park Series offers free streaming of popular movies and a special evening under the stars once a month, during season. Popcorn and ice cream are for sale. Many families pick up a pizza to bring to the park. Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 19
Doing Business Downtown A Downtown Destination Rich in History full of vision The City of Bonita Springs is taking a new look at its Downtown and its potential to flourish as a Downtown destination. With new regulations and incentives, strong retail vision, and focused marketing efforts, revitalization is underway. Bonita City Council adopted renderings to communicate the vision of the future downtown Bonita and the look of Old Florida charm The renderings convey Old Florida architectural features, and are part of a dedicated effort to assist owners and developers in making that vision a reality. The City of Bonita Springs and the Lee County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) joined together in 2013 to take another step to invest in economic development via a partnership to redevelop downtown Bonita Springs through a revenue sharing agreement. The $18.6 million dollar Downtown Improvements Project kicked off in August 2015. The project includes creating a centralized storm water system, utility relocations, and 20 Night and Day historic bonita springs
roundabouts at Pennsylvania Avenue and Terry Street, more street parking and streetscape features. Decorative elements such as lamp posts with planter and banner sign capabilities, landscape planters and wide brick paver crosswalks are incorporated in the streetscape design. Felts Avenue and the connecting side streets provide underground storage and treatment for storm water within the rightof-way and also allow parking downtown. In addition, the City has been successful in partnering with Lee County to bring a brand new state of the art $14 million dollar library facility into the heart of Bonita s Downtown. Old 41 Old US 41 Section A (Viewing North) Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 21
Business Meeting at the Historic Liles Hotel A Business Friendly Environment To stimulate economic development, Bonita Springs offers a variety of incentive programs for business owners in the City of Bonita Springs and some are targeted specifically in the downtown. The Bonita Springs Downtown Facade Renovation Matching Grant & the Bonita Springs Beautification and Landscaping Matching Grant are just two of the available incentives that the City is promoting. The City also offers the Bonita Springs Priority Permitting Process. this expedited permit process allows applicants for targeted businesses to be placed at the front of the line for local permits and receive expedited processing. For more information please call City Hall at (239) 949-6262. Bonita Springs Downtown Alliance The Downtown Bonita Springs Downtown Alliance was formed in 2016, and is dedicated to: promoting cooperation with business and professional owners stimulating awareness of the businesses and services available shaping the current and emerging business environment to promote high-quality products and services attracting additional businesses to the Downtown Bonita Springs Business District. For more information please contact: Bonita Springs Downtown Alliance John Paeno, President (239) 221-8218 27800 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 www.bonitadowntownalliance.com 22 Night and Day historic bonita springs
Dining Welcome to destination dining the Historic Downtown way. Downtown restaurants serve up a feast of worldly flavors, with tastes ranging from island cuisine to healthy organic fare and authentic Mexican flavors. Shopping Downtown Bonita is full of secrets and treasures untold. Among these hidden gems are unique shopping options from local businesses with characteristic Bonita charm. Those who enjoy going thrifting or shopping for vintage and antique items will find plenty of options within walking distance. From farmers markets, thrift stores and the artist cottages, There are some one of a kinds to be found downtown! Small Town Charm. Big Bright Future. 23
Thank you to all businesses that helped sponsor the Downtown Bonita Springs Brochure! For more information on the Bonita Springs Downtown Alliance please contact John Paeno at (239) 221-8218
Thank you to all businesses that helped sponsor the Downtown Bonita Springs Brochure! Stan s Super Sub 26880 Old 41 Road #3 (239) 992-9973 Survey Cafe 10530 Wilson Street (239) 992-2233 www.thesurveycafe.com TLC Marketing & Creative Services, Inc. 9148 Bonita Beach Road Suite 201 (239) 405-8115 www.tlc-consulting.biz Twisted Tangle Cafe 27120 Old 41 Road www.facebook.com/twisted-tangle- Cafe-1843838619180813/ For more information on the Bonita Springs Downtown Alliance please contact John Paeno at (239) 221-8218