FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  John Yarbrough, Lee County Parks & Recreation, (239) 461-7410
               D.T. Minich, Visitor & Convention Bureau, (239) 338-3500

GREAT CALUSA BLUEWAY RECEIVES "NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL" DESIGNATION

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 3, 2004) - The U.S. Department of Interior notified Lee County today that the Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail in Lee County has been designated as a "National Recreation Trail".

Through this prestigious designation, the Great Calusa Blueway is recognized as part of America's national system of trails.

The National Recreation Trail Program supports designated NRT's with an array of benefits, including promotion, technical assistance, networking and access to funding. Its goal is to promote the use and care of existing trails and stimulate the development of new trails to create a national network of trails and realize the vision of "Trails for All Americans".

The Great Calusa Blueway is a 40-mile paddling trail that winds its way through the coastal bays and rivers of Lee County. See the end of this release for a detailed description of the trail in a January release from the VCB. Also, you can learn more about the Blueway at its web site www.greatcalusablueway.com.

Lee County Parks & Recreation, local paddling enthusiasts and outfitters, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Tourist Development Council were instrumental in the funding, development, and construction of the trail, and in marketing it to residents and visitors. To learn more about the National Recreation Trails program, visit www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.

"This is an honor that everyone in Lee County should be proud of, particularly those in the development and construction of the trail," said John Yarbrough, Lee County Parks & Recreation Director. "It's further proof that Lee County has some of the best venues for outdoor recreation in the country."