April 2026 Newsletter
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
April Newsletter
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation's Mission is to enhance & enrich the beauty and experience of Lakes Park
A Message From The President
Though this April Newsletter is a little late, I still want to wish you all a very Happy Holiday. No matter what you are celebrating, I hope it is filled with good Health Family and Fun and let's hope this gorgeous weather continues!
Lakes Park was recently featured on the Morning segment of Gulf Coast News. Thanks to Jason Drew for doing some great segments at the park from before dawn to the start of the Farmers Market. Jason had never been to the park, and boy, was he impressed!
It always amazes me when we get a visitor who has never been to the park, and they marvel at all we have to offer.
If you haven’t been to the park lately, you must go and see how the boardwalk turned out. It is gorgeous. Thanks to the County’s maintenance crew for a job well done. It was worth waiting for!
Water playgrounds are in progress, and you can actually see the pieces being installed!
We are saying goodbye to our longtime Board Member and Friend, Bill Gray (See picture below).
Bill is retiring after 22 years on our Foundation Board. Bill was one of the original founding members. He has been there through thick and thin. Bill stuck with us during COVID when we saw our board reduced to four members from fifteen. Not to mention the loss of our executive director at the same time! We could always count on Bill to be at every Board meeting, ask questions, and vote as well as entertain us with his stories. For fourteen years, Bill would always man the booth at the annual Scarecrows event, hand out tickets, and count votes at the end of the night. Bill helped us raise money with his generous donations.
Thank you, Bill, and Godspeed!
Also, condolences to longtime Board member and now Advisory Board member Marsha Asp. Marsha’s husband, Tony, passed away last week. He was always in attendance at our events and a regular at the Farmer’s Market as well as a donor. He loved Lakes Park, and his smiling face will be missed!
Check out everything that is going on in the park, and if you see me there, please stop and say hi!
See you in the park
Please see the news below and don’t hesitate to write or call us with your suggestions and comments.
Our mailing address is: PO Box 61076, Ft Myers, FL, 33906
Barbara Manzo
President LPEF
barbara.manzo@lakespark.org
Updates, Reminders, and Special Alerts
COMING SOON!
Our Splash Pads will be done soon.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Picture this!
📸 Lakes Park Photo Feature of the Month! 🌿
Do you have a stunning snapshot from Lakes Regional Park? Now’s your chance to shine!
Share your favorite Lakes Park photo on our Facebook page or tag us @LakesParkEnrichmentFoundation for an opportunity to be featured in our Monthly Newsletter.
Show off those sunsets, nature trails, wildlife moments, and family memories — we can’t wait to see the park through your lens! 🌅✨
( Visit Fort Myers ) ~@VisitFortMyers
linktr.ee/lakespark
7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908
We’ve just installed 20 new signs in the Children’s Garden, each sharing fun facts about some of our trees and plants! 🌿✨
A big thank you to our new volunteer, Bella, who designed these engaging signs with the help of Terry. Be sure to stop by and check them out on your next visit!
Roseate Spoonbills are on full display at Lakes Park!
Moments like this are a reminder of how incredible the wildlife is at Lakes Park.
(Photo credit: Susan Evans; The Daily Artisan )
Ospreys are on full display at Lakes Park!
Moments like this are a reminder of how incredible the wildlife is at Lakes Park.
(Photo credit: Susan Evans; The Daily Artisan )
What's Happening in the Park?
The big catch at Lakes Park!
Do you think you’ve spotted or caught the largest fish in the park? Snap a picture, then share it on Facebook & tag us! Get out, explore, and enjoy a 'fin-tastic day' at the park!
John is one happy fisherman after catching this Largemouth Bass at Lakes Park!
Both of these were caught on a Z-Man ElaZtech paddle tail.
Picture provided by: AG KV Lenny
Take your kiddos to the Children's Garden to check out our murals! Always an opportunity for a photo op.
🌈Join us every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lakes Park Farmer’s Market!
Hop on down to the Farmers Market on Wednesday to see this lovely collection of plants for you to buy, including more succulent arrangements in handmade pottery by Jim Convery. We still have lots of Easter Crafts to purchase, too.
Enjoy fresh produce, local favorites, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Be sure to follow our social media pages for updates on the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation’s upcoming Plant Sale dates. 🌿
🚂Railroad Museum News 🚂
The Railroad Museum of South Florida, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) located in beautiful Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers. Visit our depot-style Interpretive Center to explore Southwest Florida’s railroad history, then step outside to see a restored 1905 steam locomotive and 1953 caboose. Enjoy a 15-minute miniature train ride through charming villages, tunnels, bridges, and scenic wildlife areas—perfect for a fun, family-friendly outing! 🚂
🚆 Current Train Operating Hours 🚆
Monday through Friday, 10 am-2 pm, and
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays, 10 am-4 pm
Would you like to volunteer?
www.rrmsf.org/volunteer
The Easter Bunny Express is up and running from now until April 6th. Many thanks to our amazing volunteers who have been busy all winter painting our Easter decorations. They have done a marvelous job! Our train route hasn't looked this great in years! Please note that, along with our regular business hours, we will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday until 4 PM.
7330 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers, FL (Inside Lakes Park)
(239)-267-1905
rrmsf.org
railroadmuseumofsouthflorida@gmail.com
🦅Lakes Park Bird Patrol Led Nature Walks🦅
Bird & Nature Walk
Lakes Park every first Saturday of every month!
WHEN? 8 am. Please arrive a few minutes earlier
The walk starts promptly at 8 am
Meet at Shelter A7 located near the Train Station
Enter Lakes Park gate from Gladiolus. Turn right.
Drive to the end of the road, and continue through the parking lot.
Bring water, binoculars & sunscreen
Please wear comfortable shoes 👟 & dress for the weather
Good Birding, Marie Di Rosa (239) 789-5755
7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908
The Tour is free with paid parking.
Garden News!
The Pink Tabebuia blooming at Lakes Park.
Quercus laurifolia is a medium-sized semi-evergreen tree with a large, dense, oval crown. It is native to the southeastern and south-central United States from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. The Laurel Oak grows rapidly (65–80 feet) and matures in about 50 years. The leaves of the laurel oaks are smooth, narrow, shiny, dark green on top, and a brighter green underneath. The margins of the leaves are either smooth or irregularly lobed. The trees will flower as the new leaves start to emerge; acorn production is often heavy, enhancing the value for wildlife.
(Location: Lakes Park Botanic Garden)
📚Welcome to StoryTime!📚
Another magical Story Time at Lakes Park! 📚✨
Don’t miss the fun — join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 10:30–11:30 AM (October through May).
Enjoy engaging stories, lively music, creative crafts, and plenty of smiles — all in a beautiful park setting. Best of all, admission is free!
It’s the perfect mid-morning outing for little ones and caregivers alike — come make memories with us!
Lakes Park from the air!
The Steering Committee meets once a month and is always looking for new volunteers. It’s an easy way to get involved and meet great people!
If you’re interested in helping—or have any suggestions or concerns—please talk with or email Betsy at wildflowergreen22@gmail.com.
💐 Fragrance Garden & Succulent Garden 💐
Above is the Desert Rose and Prickly Pear.
Below is the Golden Tabebuia and Queen’s Wreath.
The Fragrance Garden is very fragrant right now.
Be sure to take a walk through one or all of our gardens!
🧱🧱 Leave your mark on Lakes Park !!🧱🧱
Dedicate a brick to a loved one, and honor them for years to come.
It's a perfect gift for New Year's🍾Valentine's Day💗
St. Patrick's Day🍀Easter🐰Mother's Day🌼Memorial Day⛿Father's Day💪4th of July🌟Labor Day 👩🔧👩🏫Halloween🍊Veterans Day🔹Thanksgiving🦃Christmas🎄 Birthdays🍰& Anniversaries💍
Your donation will help create beautiful paved paths in select areas of the park.
Three locations to choose from:
The Train Station, the Children’s Garden, or the Rose Garden.
✔️Complete the form here: https://t.ly/Y03dO
“THE MISSION of Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation is to enhance the beauty and experience of Lakes Park.”— Barbara Manzo, President.
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation is a nonprofit organization tasked with enhancing the beauty and experience of Lakes Park. The Foundation continues to make efforts to grow its membership, volunteerism, and donations.
Currently, the Foundation is working to raise funds that support the following enhancements to Lakes Park:
- COMMUNITY GARDEN – replacement of aging raised beds where people learn to grow their own food and donate the extra to a local soup kitchen.
- CHILDREN’S GARDEN – planned additions include murals and other educational opportunities.
- LAKES PARK SUMMER CAMP – funding of programs and equipment to enhance the Summer Camp experience.
Copyright © 2026 Lakes Park, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 61076 Ft. Myers, FL, 33906
239.533.7578
