Board of Directors

President

Barbara started her career in New York where she was the Deputy Director and Director respectively in two Cities in Westchester County..

Born and raised in NY she moved to Lee County in 1990 with her husband to take the job of Deputy Director of Lee County Parks and Recreation.  In 2009 Barbara took the reins as Director of Lee County Parks and Recreation.  After forty one years of working in the field of Parks and Recreation Barbara retired in 2012 to pursue the pastimes she enjoys In 2014 Barbara joined the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation to help the Foundation achieve its goals and be the liaison between the Foundation and the County. Barbara is currently President of the LPEF.

Barbara has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Parks and Recreation as well as an MBA

Vice President

Kathy Busick was born and raised on Long Island. She received her BA in Elem ED from SUNY Stony Brook. After graduation she moved to Salem, NH. She taught 2nd grade until she took time off to raise her 2 sons. The family moved to Aurora, Colorado where Kathy was active in the PTA and became a certified youth soccer coach. The family moved back to NH in 1980 where Kathy remained active in her sons’ schools and continued to coach youth soccer. When her sons were in school full time she worked to renew her teaching certificate. She taught 2nd grade and a multiage 1/2 grade until she retired in 2006. While teaching full time she received her MA in education. She worked with interns from the University of NH. After retiring from teaching she took care of her two youngest grandchildren while working at Concord Gastroenterologist in the Medical records department. In 2012 she became a Fort Myers snowbird with her partner Jim. In 2014 they moved full time to Fort Myers. She fell in love with Lakes Parks on her first visit to the park. She became a Lee County Volunteer and each year her involvement level increased. Until she is now secretary of the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation, manages the 6 acres of gardens, brick sales, Farmer’s Market and bench sales. She loves being an ambassador for Every Thing Lakes Park.

Secretary

Terry Rose, is  devoted to her  family, nature, and community, she has strong ties to both Pennsylvania and Fort Myers, Florida. After transitioning to full-time residency in Fort Myers in December 2022, a chance meeting with Kathy Busick during a bird walk, became an opportunity to volunteer and thEn fall in love with Lakes Park.

Terry finds joy and fulfillment in a variety of hobbies, including gardening, art, family time, and cooking. While in Pennsylvania, Terry became a Master Gardener, President of the Little Garden Club of Sewickley, and was involved with many fundraising projects. 

In her role as a volunteer at Lakes Park, Terry has brought fresh ideas and creativity to the table. She channels her passion for crafting into fundraising efforts for the Park, creating handmade goods for sale at farmers' markets to support the park's initiatives.

Terry embodies the spirit of service and dedication, enriching the lives of those around her through her unwavering commitment to family, nature, and community.

Treasurer

Paul was born and raised in Louisville, KY.  He has spent most of his career serving the community in 1987 as a volunteer firefighter until becoming a paid firefighter in 1993.  Paul served the community moving up the ranks until becoming a Fire Captain and Training Instructor.  In, 2008 Paul moved to a career in the EMS service within his community.  Paul then in 2012 moved into Law Enforcement/Corrections as a Fire Safety Officer and Safety Coordinator for KYDOC.  He studied Corrections Safety at Eastern Kentucky University where he got a Corrections Safety Certificate and many OSHA certifications as a 10/30 HR OSHA Instructor.  Paul retired in 2019 and moved to Fort Myers fulltime with his family.  He took about 1 year off to vacation with family until returning to work at the School District of Lee County as a Safety and Security Specialist in 2020 moving into a role as a Building Supervisor in 2021.  In 2023, Paul also joined the Lee County Sheriff’s Office as a school guardian within the school district protecting students, staff and visitors while on campus.  He spends a lot of time with family, volunteering at Lakes Park, LPEF Board Member and train engineer at the Railroad Museum of SW Florida.  He has many memories of Lakes Park as his family has had a condo on the back side of the park since the early 1990’s watching the park grow over years.  

Founding Member since 2004

Director

Dan Flavin, Railroad Museum of South Florida, Community Garden, and Fragrance Garden volunteer

Director

Drew has been a resident of Lee County since 1978. He is a very active resident in community development and has been active in many organizations in SWFL, including Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, LC Hotel Association, Lions Clubs International, and several other organizations. His passion for giving back to the community includes such organizations as Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary, lighthouse for the blind & The Foundation for  Lakes Park. He also volunteers with the VA in N. Ft Myers as he served in the USAF from 1970 to 1974. He enjoys golf, fishing, boating and his motorcycle but his pride and joy is his family and friends. He is currently the CEO of Guerrilla Marketing For Small Business and you can find him easily on Google.

Director

Vicki Little retired from Lee County Parks and Rec in 2020 after 37 years with the department. She was one of the first staff hired to open Lakes Park in April of 1984.

 As a new member of the foundation she’s excited to assist with events and activities that support the park and provides the community with a beautiful and natural environment for residents and visitors to enjoy.

 Vicki is also a active board member with the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve and Lee County Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Representative for District 2

Director

Wesley E. Higgins, Ph.D., studied at the University of Florida concentrating in horticultural science with a minor in botany. He has worked at Missouri Botanical Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and Marie Selby Botanical Garden. His dissertation research was “Intergeneric and Intrageneric Phylogenetic Relationships of Encyclia (Orchidaceae) Based upon Holomorphology.”  Wesley is taxonomically known for the genera he excluded from Encyclia rather than Encyclia itself. He is the editor of the Phalaenopsis Journal, has published numerous journal articles and is co-author of “The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Illustrated Dictionary of Orchid Genera,” "Compendium of Orchid Genera," and “The Odontoglossum Story.” Dr. Higgins works with the Institute for Regional Conservation on Everglades restoration, is a member of the International Scientific Committee of Lankesteriana. Wesley is also an accredited American Orchid Society judge, approved AOS taxonomic authority, and serves on the AOS Editorial Board where he edits the monthly column Orchids Illustrated. Additionally, he has volunteered for the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation since 2009.

Director

Although being born in Vermont, Kate has called SWFL home for more than 35 years. She has many fond memories of Lakes Park growing up and as a clinical herbalist, has a passion for plants and fostering a love for the outdoors in others. Over the years, Kate has been active in many community organizations such as the Florida Public Relations Association SWFL Chapter (FPRA), Junior League of Fort Myers and AMIKids SWFL. A graduate of the University of Florida, Kate holds dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and telecommunications, along with a master’s in international communication. She is a past recipient of the FPRA Rising Star award and was named a Gulfshore Business “40 Under 40”. Having worked in marketing and public relations for many years, Kate is now pursuing a career in health and wellness as the owner of rebel + dart, a holistic health company that offers botanical skincare treatments and herbal medicine remedies.

Director

Originally from Watertown, Connecticut, Rae Lynn has called Florida her full-time home since 2020. Drawn to the natural beauty and serenity of Southwest Florida and Lakes Park, she quickly felt a deep connection to the area and a desire to give back. A chance meeting with Terry Rose at the Farmer’s Market  led her to the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation where she volunteers helping to enrich the park’s amenities and natural environment for all to enjoy.

A graduate of Naugatuck Valley Community College and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (Residential Design), Rae Lynn has over 35 years of experience in healthcare operations, sales, marketing and business development — particularly in assisted living, skilled nursing, and home care.  She has spent her career helping others and building meaningful connections and friendships along the way.   Now semi-retired, she continues working as a Realtor, and still helps families navigate through the complexities of the healthcare system.

Rae Lynn is most grateful for her blessings of faith, family and friends!  Her favorite passion is spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and friends.  She enjoys acrylic and watercolor painting, interior decorating,  reading, gardening, beaching, traveling and adventuring to places near and far!

Director

Laurie McCourt is a retired family physician from Ohio that is proud to call Fort Myers her home. Her love of Lakes Park began when she moved to a community that borders Lakes Park and was lucky enough to have gate access to this wonderful park. She walked miles in the park before joining the foundation.  Her first introduction to the Foundation was through her weekly visits to the Farmer’s Market often barely able to walk home with all of her purchases. She met foundation members at the market and that began her interest. Then she saw and loved the train and thought becoming a train engineer would be the perfect retirement job. Little did she know all of what was involved in being a train engineer. However, she volunteered for the Foundation board and soon learned. Now, her passions include the train and all things, Lakes Park! Luckily, they didn't need gardening help since that's not her strong suit.  She looks forward to helping the board and all volunteers to continually improve this amazing resource for our area.