Freedom Park — Attraction in Bonita Springs

The full name of this park is the Fred W. Coyle Freedom Park. In October of 2014 the park was named in honor of Fred Coyle, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, decorated Vietnam veteran, and outgoing county commissioner who was instrumental in the creation of the park. A decade before he pushed for the creation of the 50 acre park. Prior to his involvement this property had been left overgrown for decades.

The western part of the property was neglected orange orchards that had been planted in the 1950's and 60's. Invasive species of plants such as melaleuca trees, and Brazilian pepper had taken over. The property was purchased by the South Florida Water management District with funds from the Florida Communities Trust on June 19, 200 for the purpose of creating a water filtration system that would clean the storm water where it enters the Gordon River which flows on to Naples Bay. To accomplish that goal four fresh water marshes were created in 2009. Native wetland plants were added that clean the water by taking out pollutants and heavy metals. Besides filtering the water the wetlands provides a refuge for birds such as great white herons, ibis, green herons, and great blue herons who forage for food in the marsh. Trails go around and cross over the marsh marsh so people can hike and bike for recreation. Along the way are signs that identify the native plants.

The eastern 12.5 acres of the property, which is owned by Conservation Collier, is where the natural wetlands are located. While this property had large cypress trees, pond apple and mangroves, it too was heavily inundated with exotic plants. The invasive plants were removed and the wetlands were restored with native plants like flowering pickerel weed, swamp lily, Sagittaria and canna lily. Native plants are marked by plaques along the 3.500 foot boardwalk. Some of the plants plants act as larval host for native butterflies. Red shouldered hawks, barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, green herons, great blue herons, little blue herons, great white herons, racoons, gray squirrels, marsh rabbits, river otter, armadillos, alligators, turtles, snakes and frogs are some of the native wildlife that have been recorded in the park.

Adjacent to the parking lot are restrooms and a 2500 square-foot education facility with restrooms and picnic area. The facility can be rented by Collier residents for private events. One of the most striking features of the park is the 9/11 memorial named the Freedom Memorial. Construction began on it in 2004 but was plagued by delays and the recession. Artist Gerald Ladue was picked in 2005 to design the memorial and a groundbreaking ceremony was held but by 2008 funds to build the memorial had dried up. For 10 years the large gray slab sat behind a fence. Naples mayor Jim Sorey jump started the project in 2014 and raised the 2 million dollars to finish it. It was finally dedicated in September of 2016. The memorial is a giant American Flag sits on a pedestal of a map of United States. Behind the flag are two steel bars from the World Trade Center. Along the back of the memorial there is a fountain, benches, and fifty state stones along the perimeter of the pentagon shaped walkway.

This park is truly impressive. While cleaning the water flowing into the Gordon River it is providing a place of nature for people to enjoy. I saw people biking, hiking, picnicking, bird watching, taking pictures, and swinging in a hammock in one of the lookout pavilions. The Freedom Memorial is truly moving as it honors our first responders and the lives lost in the attacks on 9/11. This park is a continuation of the Gordon River Greenway across the street. Both parks are a nature...

A favorite little park because then I didn’t have to try to cross Golden Gate Blvd. at the intersection of Road. Now as of 3/21/25 human powered cyclists 50 even 60 year-old bicycles are excluded from freedom park and must be walked through the park. There’s no minimum or maximum speed limit nor any science post about yielding by pedestrian or recycle, but there are two laminated right now I believe three laminated signs or someone to computer and some cardboard and decided to make signs and laminate them and post them around. I’m attempting to identify and obtain a copy of the Collier County commissions or Parks and Recreation notice and opportunity to be heard. It’s probably the same group of people that took the fluoride out of the water in town that also put a 80 year old retiree from Ohio now a freshly minted old FL iguana hunter with a 50 caliber air gun out in the woods to let them shoot iguanas and stop a guy like me from riding his bike 5 miles an hour on the sidewalk. Cool. Next time you hear people like Rick Scott or Byron Donald or or any other Saunders or Rick LoCastro or any of the rest of these freedom loving red blooded Americans SM if they could fix this problem and I suppose I have to get President Trump involved to declare martial law to get it done. They’re too focused on building out Everglades wetlands with Pulte homes and the rest of the groups. They have cocktail parties with at Coconut point Hyatt, where they identify the mangroves in islands. They want to develop next also. Funny and sad to watch as an Native American, whose grandpa came over here in the 50s and even late 40s to fish and then by property.Good...

Awesome Hidden Gem in the center of Naples. Very near the Mall, The Zoo, across the street really. A great park with paved hiking trails throughout a beautiful Eco Park. Created as a solution for storm water reclamation, used to water naples! The water is filtered naturally through a series of lakes to then be used for watering naples. Signs explain this in the Eco Park. Catch and Release Only Freshwater Fishing is welcomed. This is why I visit the park. One of the only city offered fishing areas smack dab in the center of naples. I fish for 30mins to and hour before work. Take a walk around, breath the air, see the wildlife which is abundant! There is also a veteran memorial located in the park. Great place to take children to burn energy, get fresh air and exercise! You can see tons of birds, fish, tortoise, turtles, sometimes small Alligators, not huge scary Alligators, small cute Alligators! Herons, Bunnies, Non Venomous Snakes & possible Rattlesnakes but they're mostly hiding very well off trails. You may see a cute little Ringnecked Snake or a beautiful Orange Corn Snake as I did one afternoon both very Docile & Safe to admire. Nature all in the center of naples. Just a short drive from anywhere in naples. Just past the Naples Gopher Tortoise Preserve & Mall. I suggest you visit early morning to witness the beauty and have a chance to see more wildlife. Bring a small fishing pole and some kids & teach them how to fish here where it's safe and has boardwalks to fish from above the water and secure. Great place to learn how to fish for children and adults. Just throw your line and trash away and leave the park as you found...