December 2024 Newsletter

December 4, 2024

Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation

🎅🤶 December 2024 🎄🎁

Newsletter

A picture of a woman with the name barbara marzo on it

The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation's Mission is to enhance the beauty and experience of Lakes Park

Message from the President

Happy Holidays to all our Lakes Park Family

I don’t know about you but 2024 has flown by. By the time you read this, we will have celebrated Thanksgiving and be headed into the holiday season. Regardless of what holiday you celebrate, we wish you a healthy and happy one!

The LPEF Board is busy as usual with Farmers Market, Story Time in the Park, Train events, Bird Patrol and Garden walks, and keeping our beautiful Gardens looking as wonderful as they do. Many thanks to our Volunteers who keep it all going. Without you, Lakes Park would not be what it is today.

We are thrilled to announce that our Foundation has once again received a grant from the Tourist Development Council of Lee County to assist with our Marketing efforts. We have been receiving this grant for many years now and it allows us to use your donations for our other efforts in the Park.

If you are looking for a special gift for family and friends consider a brick and help us pave the park. Bricks are on sale for the month of December. Check it out below. It’s the perfect gift for the person who has everything! My whole family has bricks in the garden!! We also have beautiful shopping bags on sale at our booth at the Farmers Market. Not to mention some fabulous handmade gifts made by our incredibly creative volunteers and beautiful plants propagated in our gardens. Check it out before you go crazy looking for the perfect gift!

Year-end also means a time for donating. We have so many wonderful Donors who love to make disbursements to us at the end of the year. It's easy. Send us a check or go to our website at www.lakespark.org and click on the donate button.
You can use your credit card or PayPal.

Most importantly just come out and enjoy the park. Ride the Holiday Express. If you’ve never done this you don’t know what you are missing. The weather is perfect for a day in the Park!

Barbara Manzo
President LPEF
barbara.manzo@lakespark.org
239-229-0387

HOLIDAY BRICK SALE
Do you need a holiday gift idea?...
Purchase an engraved brick during our
'Holiday Brick Sale 2024'
Share the warmth of the holiday season with our unique Holiday Brick Sale, from now until December 31st, 2024.
It's more than just a purchase - it's a heartfelt way to show your loved ones you care. This thoughtful and unique gift is perfect for anyone in your family or circle of friends. Don't miss this chance to spread joy and create lasting memories.
Now Only $90 Each!
Find all of the details on our website at https://t.ly/Z5NJl

A poster for the lakes park holiday brick sale 2024

A stack of bricks with names on them including steve and kelly wilson

What's Up In The Park?
We have a new metal roof on the Rose Garden Gazebo, a favorite local hang-out spot! No more shaker shingles.
Thank you to all who were involved in upgrading this shelter!

A gazebo with a metal roof is sitting in the middle of a grassy field.

Cuteness Overload!
The cutest little Otter was spotted in the Koi Pond at the Fragrance Garden, Perhaps he thinks it's a Sushi Bar?

A lizard is laying on a rock next to a pond.

You can feel the absolute sense of amazing as these young visitors watch a yellow-eared slider lay her eggs while carefully ensuring that predators will have a difficult time finding them.

A boy and a girl are looking at a turtle in the grass.

Who visited the Park in November?

Where in Southwest Florida are our Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau Tourism Ambassadors?
Lakes Park, of course!
All aboard for a scenic tour of the park and a fun train ride! Our volunteers explored all Lakes Park has to offer visitors and residents alike thanks to our friends at Lee County Parks and Recreation and the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation.

Thank you for visiting, it's always a pleasure!

A group of people are standing in front of a children 's garden sign.

A group of people are sitting on a train.

A group of women standing next to each other in front of colorful flowers

We are incredibly thankful for our community's continued support and are still in need of volunteers to decorate our space for the holidays.
If you feel moved to lend a hand in this festive endeavor, we would like to invite you to reach out to Dan Flavin at dan@rrsmf.org. For your convenience, we've also provided a direct sign-up link: https://t.ly/w7EFR. Your generosity and time are truly appreciated.

The 2024 Annual
Holiday Express Train

All Aboard!!
Prepare yourself for a heartfelt journey aboard our charming Holiday Express Train. We're ready to whisk you away on an endearing adventure through the park.
Immerse yourself in the abundant festive joy and the wonder that awaits you.

🦌🦌🦌🚆🦌🦌🦌

A poster for the railroad museum of south florida 's 2024 annual holiday express

FARMERS MARKET

Get ready for an adventure at The Lakes Park Farmers Market! Swing by every Wednesday from 9am to 1pm for an unforgettable experience. Unearth the ideal present for your special someone or discover fantastic gifts for the office party. The excitement never ends here!

A christmas wishlist that says we can help you with your shopping

Enjoy the SW Florida weather with us!

Bird Patrol Led Nature Walks
1st Saturday of every month!

Bird & Nature Walk at Lakes Park every First Saturday, of every month!
The tour is FREE with paid parking | Parking is $1/hour or $5/all day
WHEN? 8 am Please arrive a few minutes earlier | walk starts promptly at 8 am
Meet at Shelter A7 located near the Train Station
Bring water, binoculars & sunscreen
Please wear comfortable shoes 👟 & dress for the weather
INFORMATION: 📞Call (239)533-7275

The Tour is FREE with PAID PARKING | Parking is $1/hour or $5/all day.

🎄 GARDEN NEWS 🎄

Children's Garden

Mark Your Calendar!
StoryTime in Lakes Park is back! Head over to the Children’s Garden on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of December from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Sing some songs, do a simple craft and listen to our favorite stories.
Contact Info@LakesPark.org with any questions you may have!

An advertisement for storytime in lakes park

A sign for children 's garden is above a stone archway

We are still collecting painted rocks for
Cooper the Caterpillar!
He could use a little Christmas Spirit!
Please drop off any painted rocks in the
Children’s Garden.
Thank you!!

A row of rocks painted to look like a caterpillar are laying on the ground.

A row of rocks are lined up in a garden next to a sign.

Community Garden

We had a tremendous turnout of volunteers for our first "Workday in the Garden" for this season.
Thank you to all of the people who weeded, cleaned, hauled dirt and trimmed bushes. It was a very rewarding day. It was great meeting so many new friends.

We have an herb garden in the corner to the left as you walk in the garden.
Right now, it is empty. If you have herbs you would like to share and plant there, we would love to have them. The herbs are for everyone to use. I hope to add some basil.
What will you add?