Work begins at Bonita Beach parks nearly four years after Hurricane Ian

Rebuilds for bathrooms and boardwalks at two Bonita Beach parks are finally underway after years of closures caused by Hurricane Ian. For many, Bonita Beach holds sentimental value. "My husband was born and raised here, and it's the beach that he grew up going to with his sister," said Brianna Opteyndt of the SWFL Home Group. "Bringing our daughter back here is just really sentimental to us." The devastation from Hurricane Ian nearly four years ago left lasting impacts. "Just total beach erosion. Homes destroyed; families uprooted. It was just terrible devastation," said Joe Burgess of Bonita Springs. The bathrooms at Bonita Beach Park and Access Point 10 were severely damaged, leaving them closed for the last four years. Crews are now working to rebuild. "Bonita deserves better, and we're finally getting it," Opteyndt said. "This is well overdue, and it's a shame," Burgess added. A county spokesperson explained that leaders had to wait for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, which were awarded in August, to avoid using taxpayer dollars. More than $570,000 in FEMA money was allocated to design the repairs in 2024. A call for bids went out in 2025, but only one contractor responded. FEMA requires at least two bids before considering funding. After four contractors eventually threw their hats in the ring in June, FEMA funds were approved to cover part of the $7 million project, with state emergency funds and tourism tax dollars filling the gap. "This is the price of paradise," Opteyndt said. "To know that we've got these funds to help us out when we need it is really reassuring and kind of shows that though it did take a long time, the county's on it and they've got our backs." Parking will be limited during construction. Crews will close Beach Access Point 1 next month, leaving only 39 of the more than 200 Lee County parking spots available. Parking is available nearby at Collier County's Barefoot Beach Preserve. LeeTran offers connections between the center of Bonita Springs and Bonita Beach Park through Ultra On Demand. Click here for more information about the bus program. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.