On December 10, over 150 people showed up for the official opening of the RRC’s new Calusa Heritage Trail. The Trail, funded by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, consists of graded pathways, a bridge, and 13 professional-quality signs that provide a self-guided tour.

group of people watching a ribbon cutting ceremony
A few raindrops were not enough to deter the opening-day visitors to the Calusa Heritage Trail. In the foreground, John Worth cuts the ribbon, assisted by county commissioner Ray Judah. Photo by W. Marquardt

The sign text was written by Darcie MacMahon, Karen Walker, John Worth, and me. The art work is by Merald Clark, and the graphic design is by Synergy Design Group of Tallahassee.

After enjoying refreshments donated by Joyce Mutz and listening to a few remarks by me, the crowd watched as John Worth and Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah used a sharp flint knife to cut the ribbon, after which the visitors became the first to walk the new Trail. The “ribbon” was a 12-foot-long band of woven palmetto leaves made for the occasion by Dick Workman.

In my remarks, I first acknowledged the herculean efforts of our local staff – John Worth, Craig Timbes, and Jennifer Jennings – in getting the storm- damaged site ready for visitors. I also acknowledged the hard work and crafts- manship of John Paeno, who constructed the observation decks and board- walk while employed by the RRC. I explained that the Trail is the next phase of a several-phase project to establish a center of research and learning. The first phase was the pavilion, rest rooms, and parking lot, completed last year. The second phase is the Trail, now open. The third phase will be a class- room that will seat up to 50 people for school programs and public events.

We hope to construct the classroom next fall, pending receipt of State matching funds. We would not be in a position to have funds matched by the legislature without the help of many loyal supporters. Major donors were the Stans Foundation, Dwight and Susan Sipprelle, Anina Hills Glaize, and Paul and Warren Miller. Also contributing generously were Virginia Amsler, Tommy Taylor, Michael Hansinger, the Bonita Bay Group, Linda and Nick Penniman, Robert A. Wells, Jr., Charles B. Edwards, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Lee Newsom, Paul Benedum, and many others who donated cash gifts.

We have also benefited from the donated professional services of Jeff Mudgett (architect), Tim Keene (engineer), Bob Rude (engineer), Dick Workman (environmental consultant), and Ted Baer and John Cauthen (vegetation removal services). Mariner Properties Development Corporation provided a significant discount on wetland mitigation credits through their Little Pine Island Mitigation Bank. Deep South Native Nursery and Pine Breeze Nursery were particularly generous with donating native plants for our landscaping. Mark Dean of Palmco donated many palm trees (not once but twice, due to hurricane damage) to restore the historic palm-lined road that once wound its way to a citrus-packing barn. We appreciate the support of the Southwest Florida Council on Environmental Education, the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Native Plant Society—Coccoloba chapter, the Matlacha Mariners and Hookers, the Pineland Marina, and the Tarpon Lodge. Finally, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the volunteers and docents who faithfully serve the Center. Thank you, one and all.

This article was taken from the Friends of the Randell Research Center Newsletter Vol 3, No. 4. December 2004.