Happehatchee Center, Estero FL

05/22/2025

05/11/2025

🌟 Become a Part of History with Estero Forever Foundation! 🌟

We're looking for passionate Historians, Hosts, and Guides to help develop and share the rich heritage of Happehatchee and other properties south of the river.

🕊️ As a volunteer, you'll play a vital role in:
✅ Preserving the stories of our unique spaces
✅ Guiding visitors through their historical and cultural significance
✅ Hosting events that celebrate our shared heritage

✨ Your knowledge and enthusiasm can help bring the past to life for future generations!

📅 Interested? Send us a message to learn more about this rewarding opportunity. esteroforeverfoundation@gmail.com

📍 Let's celebrate and preserve the beauty and history of our community together!

03/25/2025

📍Out and about in the Estero community!

Our Estero Forever Foundation team has been busy sharing exciting updates about what's coming next at the Happehatchee Center 🌿✨

From meetings with local leaders to connecting with residents, we’re making sure everyone knows about the bright future ahead for this cherished space. Big things are coming—and we can’t wait to bring the community along every step of the way!

Stay tuned for more updates, events, and opportunities to get involved! 💚

02/11/2025

🌿 Happehatchee Center Update 🌿

We appreciate your patience and support as we prepare to reopen the Happehatchee Center under Estero Forever Foundation management. While we had hoped to welcome you all sooner, the reopening will be delayed until April as we finalize important details to ensure the best experience for our community.

Thank you for your understanding—we can’t wait to share this special space with you soon!

02/10/2025

🌿✨ Honoring the Heart & Soul of Happehatchee✨🌿

As we embark on the journey of revitalizing Happehatchee Center, one thing remains at the core of our mission—preserving its history and legacy. 💚 This sacred space has been a sanctuary for healing, learning, and community for decades, and we are committed to ensuring its spirit continues to thrive.

From peaceful walks along the oak-lined trails to meditative moments by the river, laughter-filled workshops, and powerful gatherings under the pavilion, Happehatchee holds countless cherished memories. 🌳✨

💬 We’d love to hear from YOU! Share your favorite Happehatchee memory in the comments. Whether it was a yoga session, an inspiring event, or simply a quiet moment in nature—your stories help keep its legacy alive. 💕

Together, we are not just revitalizing a space—we are honoring a legacy and ensuring Happehatchee remains a place of peace, connection, and growth for generations to come. 🌎💫

11/24/2024

Calling for volunteers to help form a Gardening Group at Happehatchee Center

We are seeking folks who have some time to help develop a gardening plan at the beautiful Happehatchee Community Center. Together, we can breathe life back into this treasured space and preserve its natural beauty for generations to come. We also will be sponsoring a Master Gardener program in the future for those interested in enhancing their gardening skills.

Let's plant the seeds to make a lasting impact.
Email esteroforeverfoundation@gmail.com or
call/text us at 239 302-8003

11/22/2024

We are thrilled to share that the Happehatchee Center, a beloved sanctuary nestled in Estero, is entering an exciting new chapter. Founded by the late Ellen Peterson, an inspiring environmental activist and advocate for social justice, the center has long been a beacon of peace, healing, and connection to nature.

Ellen’s vision for Happehatchee (which means "Happy River") was to create a space where the community could come together to celebrate the beauty of the natural world, nurture their spirits, and honor the legacy of environmental preservation. Over the years, this sanctuary has hosted countless workshops, healing sessions, and events dedicated to fostering harmony and growth.

As we step into this next phase, we’re committed to preserving Ellen’s legacy while expanding Happehatchee's mission. Stay tuned for updates as we work to rejuvenate this magical space, ensuring it remains a refuge for peace and a hub for community connection.

Let’s honor the history while building an even brighter future. 🌱

11/21/2024

Hello friends of Happehatchee. Stay tuned for new changes. Happehatchee Center will now be in the hands of the Estero Forever Foundation who has come into an agreement with the Village of Estero. This is Holley Rauen posting. I am providing the Foundation with as much history as possible. The facilities will be restored and the land will be made available to the public again. https://www.esteroforeverfoundation.org/blank-1 Contact them with any questions you all may have.

May the spirit of Ellen Peterson and Happehatchee live on and provide a sanctuary for peace and healing for generations to come.

10/19/2023

Honoring Ellen Peterson. A few of you have posted in the last few days to honor Happehatchee founder, wise woman, environmental and peace Activist, Ellen Perterson. This photo was a large poster that many of us signed when we gathered at FishEating Creek. About 40 canoes launched from the campground and we paddled up to the Memorial Tree where where we scattered half of her ashes. We scattered the rest all around Happehatchee. Her body gave back to the earth. Her legacy has taken on many forms. Many feel guided by her.
Love to all,
Holley

09/08/2023

Zoom in… They are flamingos! “8:30am today, September 3rd Estero bay preserve between hell peckney bay and hendry creek 16 adults flying east In the Estero bay!” AMAZING! Photo by John Robberson