More than 80 people showed up Saturday at the Veterans Park Community Center when Archaeologists and other professionals including Steven H. Koski, a research associate and archaeologist, brought excitement to the group when he said the Leeland Lake may contain a tremendous amount of artifacts and should be researched.
But what came to be the most popular part of the program was a presentation of what many are calling Lehigh Acres’ best jewel, one that can put Lehigh on the map nationally and internationally.
The community’s jewel is the Leeland Lake, a sinkhole in a geological sense that may be more than 210 feet deep.
According to the expects there, this circular lake is in pristine condition without any development or disruption to the body of water that is located off of Joel Blvd. next to the Lehigh Resort Club.
Steven H. Kodski who lives in North Port and represents the University of Miami’s School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, said the Leeland Lake would very likely holds treasures in artifacts that will help archaeologists and scientists learn about Southwest Florida’s earliest history, dating back perhaps as far as 10,000 A.D.
Leeland Lake is the only natural not active sinkhole in Lee County and archaeologists at the meeting said it was unlike other sinkholes in the north where cars and structures can be pulled underground.
Currently the property is owned by Ken O’Leary of Bonita. He was at the meeting and was asked to speak. He explained that he didn’t know the significance of the lake until sometime after it was purchased.
“People started telling me it was the deepest lake in Lee County and some even called it “a bottomless pit.”
O’Leary is a developer and believes the land should be preserved and that it be purchased by the county through its 20/20 program.
The next meeting is May 12 and will likely be held at the library again.
In addition to Lee County Ray Judah, Commissioner Frank Mann attended the meeting. But no discussion between the two commissioners took place regarding this community project being presented. And at a point, Mann left before Judah spoke with enthusiasm that the Leeland Lake should be purchased for the 20/20 plan.