Happehatchee is a Center
For Peace and Healing
~A Park in the Heart of the Village
Important Announcement:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Happehatchee Center will close for the rest of the month of March.
There will be no activities scheduled at Happehatchee from today, March 13, 2020 on through the end of the month of March: no classes or gatherings. This pandemic requires that people stay home as much as possible, for an undetermined period of time.
The COVID-19 time-line uncertainties and the Village's own construction schedule and derelict building demolition (structures to the west of Happe) may require that the Happe facilities remain closed for more time. It is possible that public events and classes could begin again in June.
Changes, Challenges, and Adaptations.
Please take good care of yourselves, stay home, stay flexible, stay healthy.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Happehatchee Center will close for the rest of the month of March.
There will be no activities scheduled at Happehatchee from today, March 13, 2020 on through the end of the month of March: no classes or gatherings. This pandemic requires that people stay home as much as possible, for an undetermined period of time.
The COVID-19 time-line uncertainties and the Village's own construction schedule and derelict building demolition (structures to the west of Happe) may require that the Happe facilities remain closed for more time. It is possible that public events and classes could begin again in June.
Changes, Challenges, and Adaptations.
Please take good care of yourselves, stay home, stay flexible, stay healthy.
Dear Southwest Florida Friends, Happehatchee Center Members, and Citizens of Estero,
In January of 2020, the Happehatchee Center Board of Directors reached agreement with the Village of Estero, and we gifted the property to the Village of Estero to create its community park. Within the now 67-acre preserve, the Land at 8791 Corkscrew Road will be protected forever, and it will never be sold, exactly as Ellen Peterson decreed when she established the private, non-profit Happehatchee Center, Inc. in 2006.
Here are some of the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement:
WHEREAS, Happehatchee Center desires to convey the Property to the Village to preserve and protect the Property as a unique environmental asset for future generations, as intended by Ellen Peterson, the founder of Happehatchee Center, Inc.; and a longtime resident on the Property, and to fulfill Happehatchee Center, Inc.’s mission of operating an environmental and educational center on the Property; and
WHEREAS, the Village represents that the Property can be integrated into the Village’s surrounding property thus enhancing the overall environmental and public benefit to further both Parties’ respective missions,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein,
This agreement shall serve to memorialize the terms of Happehatchee Center, Inc.’s conveyance of the Property, at no cost or monetary exchange, to the Village of Estero:
The Village will provide stewardship to preserve in perpetuity the Property and its unique vegetation, including its Estero River banks (north and south), mature trees, bamboo, native vegetation, and natural water spring, consistent with best practices for land preservation.
The Village, or a manager of the Property, will actively seek to provide the Estero community with environmental and education programs, workshops, seminars and special events on the Property. Happehatchee Center will identify the existing tenants or organizations utilizing the Property so the Village can negotiate terms for their continued use of the Property for the purposes stated in Happehatchee Center’s bylaws.
The Village’s obligations shall constitute a restriction running with the land enforceable by Happehatchee Center, Inc. Should Happehatchee Center cease its corporate existence, then this Agreement shall be enforceable by any citizen of the Village of Estero by action for injunction relief, this Agreement being intended to preserve the Property as a public resource for its unique environmental and historic attributes, and as a place for environmental education and mindfulness.
As we move into the future, all citizens of the Village of Estero and all friends of Happehatchee and the Estero River will witness the creation of a nature preserve and environmental education center in the northeast quadrant of US41 and Corkscrew Road.
The Board of Directors of the Happehatchee Center trusts the contract we made with the Village of Estero. We welcome the bicycle paths and the 200 feet of protected riverbank on both sides of the Estero River. We cherish the ancient oaks and pines on the Land, and we appreciate that they will live on and be safe there, in sacred perpetuity.
Thank you to the thousands of volunteers and contributors to the sustenance, maintenance, and celebrations of the Land and the Spirits of the Happehatchee Center.
Blessings, Love, and Gratitude,
Genelle G. Grant, Ed.D.,
President, Happehatchee Center, Inc.
In January of 2020, the Happehatchee Center Board of Directors reached agreement with the Village of Estero, and we gifted the property to the Village of Estero to create its community park. Within the now 67-acre preserve, the Land at 8791 Corkscrew Road will be protected forever, and it will never be sold, exactly as Ellen Peterson decreed when she established the private, non-profit Happehatchee Center, Inc. in 2006.
Here are some of the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement:
WHEREAS, Happehatchee Center desires to convey the Property to the Village to preserve and protect the Property as a unique environmental asset for future generations, as intended by Ellen Peterson, the founder of Happehatchee Center, Inc.; and a longtime resident on the Property, and to fulfill Happehatchee Center, Inc.’s mission of operating an environmental and educational center on the Property; and
WHEREAS, the Village represents that the Property can be integrated into the Village’s surrounding property thus enhancing the overall environmental and public benefit to further both Parties’ respective missions,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein,
This agreement shall serve to memorialize the terms of Happehatchee Center, Inc.’s conveyance of the Property, at no cost or monetary exchange, to the Village of Estero:
The Village will provide stewardship to preserve in perpetuity the Property and its unique vegetation, including its Estero River banks (north and south), mature trees, bamboo, native vegetation, and natural water spring, consistent with best practices for land preservation.
The Village, or a manager of the Property, will actively seek to provide the Estero community with environmental and education programs, workshops, seminars and special events on the Property. Happehatchee Center will identify the existing tenants or organizations utilizing the Property so the Village can negotiate terms for their continued use of the Property for the purposes stated in Happehatchee Center’s bylaws.
The Village’s obligations shall constitute a restriction running with the land enforceable by Happehatchee Center, Inc. Should Happehatchee Center cease its corporate existence, then this Agreement shall be enforceable by any citizen of the Village of Estero by action for injunction relief, this Agreement being intended to preserve the Property as a public resource for its unique environmental and historic attributes, and as a place for environmental education and mindfulness.
As we move into the future, all citizens of the Village of Estero and all friends of Happehatchee and the Estero River will witness the creation of a nature preserve and environmental education center in the northeast quadrant of US41 and Corkscrew Road.
The Board of Directors of the Happehatchee Center trusts the contract we made with the Village of Estero. We welcome the bicycle paths and the 200 feet of protected riverbank on both sides of the Estero River. We cherish the ancient oaks and pines on the Land, and we appreciate that they will live on and be safe there, in sacred perpetuity.
Thank you to the thousands of volunteers and contributors to the sustenance, maintenance, and celebrations of the Land and the Spirits of the Happehatchee Center.
Blessings, Love, and Gratitude,
Genelle G. Grant, Ed.D.,
President, Happehatchee Center, Inc.
Enjoy our Happe Slide show below of our many activities, from Yoga Classes, Drum Circles, Meditation, Summer Camps, Ceremonies, Kayak/Canoe Ramp, Ellen Peterson Picnic Park, and Bamboo Forest.
There is something in nature here for everyone!
Our Happehatchee grounds are ADA compliant and wheel chair accessible.
Earth
Letter from Dr. Genelle Grant
President, Happehatchee Center Inc.
Winter Solstice, 2019
Dear Friends,
In December of 2006, Ellen Peterson, three friends, and I established the Happehatchee Center, Inc. The purpose of this new non-profit organization was to protect forever Ellen’s four and a half acres of old Florida, former Koreshan, riverfront land. Ellen directed that the land be preserved at 8791 Corkscrew Road.
This December, thirteen years later, the Happehatchee land will become part of the central park of the Village of Estero. The Happehatchee Board of Directors worked with numerous attorneys to create a legal framework to ensure that the precious acreage and wildlife of the Happehatchee Sanctuary will remain protected in perpetuity.
Optimism abounds around the long-term planning for the now 67 acres of forest and riverfront. The proposed environmental education center will nurture the land and community and serve as an anchor for the future network of bike paths and nature trails. This Park in the Heart of the Village, at the northeast quadrant of US41 and Corkscrew Road, will continue as a natural treasure in Southwest Florida.
We know that Ellen Peterson would be Happe happy. Her dream is actualized. The sacred land will be cared for and safe forever.
The Board of Directors sends love and gratitude to the thousands of Happehatchee Center friends for your hard work and continuing support over the years.
Wishing you the most light-full New Year,
Genelle G. Grant, Ed.D.
President of the Board of Directors Happehatchee Center, Inc.
We Remember and Honor Ellen Peterson, Our Founder
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