Volunteers revitalize Estero River Bridge

ESTERO, Fla. – Along the Estero River sits a railroad bridge, no longer active but seen by many who kayak and canoe the Estero River everyday.

The bridge has become an eyesore in the community and a spot along the river that detracts from the natural beauty of Southwest Florida. Peg Phillips and her team at the College of Life Foundation set out to fix that eyesore.

After years in the making, Phillips and her team got permission to paint over the graffiti themselves. Organizing a small army of volunteers from Florida Gulf Coast University, the Florida Park Service and several local community businesses. Wednesday morning, volunteers completely re-painted the bridge and successfully gave the once eye-sore a new look in only four hours.

To bridge is only viewable via the water on the Estero River, accessible by kayak or canoe. Phillips and the College of Life Foundation also lead guided tours of the river daily.