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New Paradise Coast Blueway Paddling Trail
March 27, 2008

Information on the new Paradise Coast Blueway paddling trail, Phase 1, through the Ten Thousand Islands, and news about an official Grand Opening for the trail on March 29, 2008.

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Media Contacts:

JoNell Modys, jonellmodys@colliergov.net, 239-252-2425
Chris Mordi, cmordi@boomyourbrand.com, 757-497-4811

Collier County Introduces Phase 1 of the New Paradise Coast Blueway Paddling Trail in the Ten Thousand Islands

Everglades City. Fla. (March 27, 2008) – Near the point where Everglades National Park’s famed Wilderness Waterway trail starts heading south from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, the new Paradise Coast Blueway paddling trail begins heading north toward Marco Island.

The Paradise Coast Blueway is Collier County’s newly developed system of paddling trails, providing GPS-marked routes through some of Southwest Florida’s most pristine estuarine environments.

Phase 1 of the Paradise Coast Blueway covers the Ten Thousand Islands region, stretching from Everglades City to Goodland on Marco Island. Phases 2 and 3 of the trail will provide paddling routes in the future from Goodland to Naples and then Naples to the Collier-Lee County line.

Phase 1 includes one long trail route from Everglades City to Goodland, along with six shorter day trip trails allowing paddlers to experience the coastal mangrove estuaries teeming with bird and wildlife. The area is famous for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets; along with birds of prey such as osprey, bald eagle and swallow tailed kite.

The area is also rich with wildlife and is a year round habitat for bottlenose dolphin, along with manatee, sea turtle and more. The area is a rich breeding and feeding ground for Florida’s most popular game fish, including tarpon, snook, redfish and spotted sea trout. The Paradise Coast Blueway Ten Thousand Island routes provide access to excellent locations for shallow water kayak fishing, an increasingly popular sport in Southwest Florida.

A grand opening event for the Ten Thousand Islands trail section is planned for March 29, 2008 from 9 am to 1 pm in Goodland at the site of the future Mar-Good Harbor Park, on the southeastern tip of Marco Island. A limited number of free kayaks will be available on a first come, first served basis for several guided paddling trips Goodland to Coon Key. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 9:30 am. Interpretive information and free brochures will be available from the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, Collier County Parks & Recreation, the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, the Collier County Health Department and more.

Graphic maps including the GPS points for each route can be viewed and downloaded from the trail’s Web site, www.paradisecoastblueway.com. Free printed maps are available by calling 1-800-688-3600.

The Paradise Coast Blueway is a cooperative effort of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, Collier County Public Services Administration and the Parks & Recreation department, the Collier County Health Department and Collier County/University of Florida Extension with assistance from the Paradise Coast Paddlers Club, www.paradisecoastpaddlers.com.

The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors bureau promotes Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast as a visitor destination and is the official destination marketing and management agency for Collier County, Florida, funded entirely by the Collier County tourist development tax. For more information log on to the official travel information Web site, www.ParadiseCoast.com, or call 1-800-688-3600 for a free visitors guide.

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