Bowditch Point Regional Park concession reopens
Calusa Ghost Tours has just been awarded the full-service concession at Bowditch Point Regional Park and on Monday the company showed the public some of the new services they will be offering.
“We are really excited about this opportunity and wanted to share it with both locals and visitors as soon as possible,” Tours Owner John Paeno said. The concession business will represent collaboration between Paeno’s Calusa Ghost Tours, Jory Pearson’s Florida Paddlesports and Craig Timbes, the Snook Cowboy, a local fishing guide.
Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and sales are already offered at the site along with a wide variety of guided tours and classes including eco-tours, paddleboard fitness classes, kayak and shore fishing trips, and sunset tours. Both free and paid informational programs will be offered as well focusing on the ancient Calusa culture and the local wildlife and plants.
The Cast Iron Caf will soon offer beach goers breakfast and lunch daily and a small retail area will offer beach sundries. Beach chairs and umbrellas and fishing gear will also be available for rent and sale. A full service paddlesport outfitter shop will be opened on-site in the near future.
In addition to the concession services, the 17-acre park is a gopher tortoise sanctuary, has butterfly gardens, a kayak launch, a small amphitheater, day docks, rest rooms, showers, picnic tables, trolley stop and, of course, a lot of beach.
Parking is $1 per hour or visitors can use their annual Parks & Recreation parking sticker at this location. More parking is available for free at the Main Street Parking Lot under the bridge just before crossing over to the beach. The trolley picks up and drops off at both the lot and park locations.
For information regarding upcoming events, menus, or to sign up for tours or trips, visit the company’s website: www.bowditchpark.com, call 938-5342, or email calusaghosttours@comcast.net