Tour guide fights Estero River vandalism

ESTERO, Fla. – The Estero River draws thousands of people annually for kayaking and canoeing, but a tour guide said that it has also attracted vandals who leave unsightly messages for all to see.

Peggy Phillips operates guided tours on Estero River and said foul language spray painted along the trips is upsetting to visitors.

“Paddling under the bridge can be embarrassing, especially when we have families on the tour,” she said.

The river can also be dangerous because of fallen trees and debris, said Rick Argo, manager of nearby Koreshan Park.

“When you have the overgrowth of the trees and bushes and stuff impacting that and they’re trying to maneuver a canoe that they’re new at, it can be hazard,” he said.

Phillips is working to fix up the river buy adding a layer of spray paint that makes vandalism temporary. She also hopes to deter vandals from crossing a bridge to a popular spot.

“We will put in some native thorny vegetation along the embankment as a deterrent so people won’t return to the area again and again to apply more paint,” she said.

Lee County is accepting bids on supplies needed to clean up Estero River. The county and village of Estero will likely pay for those efforts.