Fresh Leadership and Big Plans for the Historic Gardens

Bonita Springs, FL · October 1, 2026

October arrives with a steady breeze and a pop-up pub crawl winding through the downtown backstreets tonight. It is the kind of Thursday that makes you want to skip an early bedtime.

The Lead

Wonder Gardens has formally introduced Sally Mulvena as its new president and CEO, handing the reins of the 90-year-old zoological and botanical park to a veteran zoo director with a clear modernization blueprint. Mulvena, who previously spent a decade leading North Dakota’s Red River Zoo, steps into the role as the roadside landmark continues its transition into an accredited wildlife sanctuary.

Her priority list focuses on completing critical infrastructure upgrades, including a dedicated flamingo night house, an expanded veterinary clinic, and a new community education pavilion. While past capital campaigns secured the land in partnership with the city, Mulvena faces the delicate task of adding accredited animal enclosures while keeping the untamed botanical charm the Piper brothers created in 1936. Next on her agenda: rolling out schematic renderings to donors and city leaders before winter visitor traffic arrives.

Local Pulse

Crews Break Ground on East Terry Overhaul Roads Heavy equipment has arrived to widen drainage ditches, build multi-use pathways, and install a new roundabout at Morton Avenue.
Council Weighs Speed Caps for E-Bikes Safety Proposed rules would cap motorized bicycles at 15 miles per hour along shared sidewalks to reduce pedestrian collisions downtown.
Midtown Development Signs Five New Retail Tenants Business Buildouts are progressing at Bonita Beach Road and Bonita Grande Drive with the first wave of shops opening by December.

Today's Outlook

High 85°F · Low 74°F — Rain showers (57% chance of precipitation)
- Keep an umbrella handy today for passing showers that will break up the humid warmth.

What's On Around Town

Today

Coconut Point Farmers Market Panera Bread Parking Lot (23106 Fashion Dr), Estero, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM · Free Fresh regional produce, baked goods, and seasonal flowers on the open lot.
Hopetoberfest Pub Crawl Ceremony Brewing (10441 Packinghouse Ln), 5:00–9:00 PM · $75 Mystery three-stop walking tour raising funds for mobile medical clinics abroad.
Nostaljah Live Reggae Rooftop at Riverside (27333 Old 41 Rd), 7:00–10:00 PM · Free High-energy island rhythms and modern soul grooves overlooking the park lawn.

Tomorrow

Flamingo Island Flea Market Flamingo Island (11902 Bonita Beach Rd SE), 8:00 AM–4:00 PM · Free
Haunted Corn Maze Opening Farmer Mike's U-Pick (26031 Morton Ave), 6:00–9:30 PM · Paid
Dear Evan Hansen Hinman Auditorium (10150 Bonita Beach Rd), 7:00 PM · $24

Saturday

12th Annual Fall Festival Farmer Mike's U-Pick (26031 Morton Ave), 9:00 AM–10:00 PM · $7–15
Journey and The Police Tributes The Stage (9144 Bonita Beach Rd SE), 6:30 PM · Paid

Spotlight & Story

The Riverside Park Snow Slide Every December, industrial ice blowers deposit tons of crushed ice beside Old 41 Road to construct a steep sledding hill beneath the palms. City staff started the ritual in the early 2000s so homegrown kids could tube in 75-degree weather.

Bonita Springs Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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