February 2026 Newsletter
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
💜🧡February Newsletter💜🧡
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation's mission is to enhance & enrich the beauty and experience of Lakes Park
A Message From The President
It’s February, and our favorite holiday, Valentine's Day, is right smack in the middle of the month.
It’s a time when we celebrate Love.
Love for our Spouses, Family, Friends, and Neighbors.
I’d like to take a moment to remind us of a verse we all know
Love is Patient
Love is Kind
Love is not envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered
Love keeps no record of Wrongs
Love rejoices in the Truth
Love Always protects, trusts, hopes, and preserves
Love never fails!
All other gifts may go away, but Love remains.
In these difficult times, we are all faced with stress and worry about our future. Take some time to get out in Nature, specifically Lakes Park. Nothing beats a stroll in the gardens or a picnic with family and friends. How about bird watching or tending to your garden? I guarantee that when you are there, you will forget all your worries!
And while we are talking about Love, let's take a minute to thank all our volunteers who work in Lakes Park day after day. Their love for Lakes Park keeps it going in ways you can’t imagine!
Have a wonderful February, a little warmer weather would be nice, but it’s better than up north!
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
If you would like to donate, click here- https://t.ly/Y9L5m
Find out more here- www.lakespark.org
Updates, Reminders, and Special Alerts
Contact: Betsy Clayton, APR/CPRC Communications Director, Lee County Government
239-533-2221 LeeCountyPIO@leegov.com
Lee County Parks & Recreation seeks public input on Lakes Park train playground renovation
Fort Myers, FL, Jan. 14, 2026 – Lee County Parks & Recreation invites the public to share feedback on a planned renovation of the train playground at Lakes Park.
The department plans to upgrade the popular playground and encourages park visitors and community members to take a brief online survey. Public input will help guide improvements and ensure the renovated playground meets the needs of families and park users.
Learn more and take the survey at www.leeparks.org or bit.ly/LPTPSurvey. The survey closes Sunday, Feb. 1.
Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, is a 279-acre park featuring a 158-acre freshwater quarry lake and offers recreational opportunities on land and water for the whole family. Amenities include picnic shelters, a lodge, garden gazebo, amphitheater, pedestrian and cycling trails, outdoor fitness equipment, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, bicycle and boat rentals, miniature train rides, a fragrance garden, community garden, fishing, summer camp, and special events.
For more information about Lee County Parks and Recreation locations, amenities, and other special events, visit www.leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275, email leeparks@leegov.com, or visit leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram.
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!
COMING SOON
Lakes Park Summer Camp
⏰ Registration opens 7:00 AM | Monday, March 23, 2026
Stay tuned for more details!
Mark your calendar for Lee County Parks & Recreation summer camp registration
Fort Myers, FL, Jan. 23, 2026 ‒ Lee County Parks & Recreation summer camp registration will open this year on Monday, March 23, a shift from the department’s previous practice of opening registration on the last Monday in February. The updated date gives families additional time to review camp options and prepare for the upcoming season.
Registration opens at 7 a.m. and is expected to draw thousands of youngsters to traditional camps, middle school camps, and specialty programs.
Traditional camps are for children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. Middle school camps are for sixth- through eighth-grade students. Ages vary for specialty and special needs camps; check with individual locations for details.
Summer camp runs for seven weeks from June 15 through July 31.
The cost for camps is $85 per week per child. For locations, visit www.leeparks.org.
Parents are encouraged to sign up early. Camp registration is ongoing as long as space is available.
Helpful tips from the registration desk:
- To register for camp at one of the four large recreation centers – Estero, North Fort Myers, Wa-Ke Hatchee, or Veterans Park in Lehigh Acres – obtain a membership first by visiting the location.
- If you currently have a membership at one of these facilities, please make sure it is active by calling or visiting the location selected.
- A household account at www.webtrac.leegov.com is needed to register online.
- Registration for swimming lessons and other aquatics programs begins Wednesday, March 26.
- Camp sites will participate in countywide initiatives, such as service-learning projects, fitness and wellness programs, and National Park and Recreation Month.
For more information about Lee County Parks & Recreation locations, camps, amenities, and other special events, visit www.leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275, or email leeparks@leegov.com.
💜💥 Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to our
Lakes Park distance map! 💥💜
Children's Garden Update:
♥ NEW BIRDBATH! ♥
The missing birdbath has not been returned. However, a young visitor from North Carolina noticed how sad the Children’s Garden looked without it. With the help of her grandmother, a Lakes Park volunteer, she generously donated a new birdbath to replace the one that was stolen.
Thank you, Charlotte, for your kindness and for helping make the Children’s Garden beautiful again!!
If you have seen our stolen birdbath, please contact: info@lakespark.org
Thank you for your help.
Check out our Special Visitor last Month
Adult- Great Blue Heron by the boat ramp!
Great Blue Heron Fun Facts:
These are North America's largest Herons
- They may look massive, but they weigh only about 5–6 pounds thanks to hollow bones. Their S-shaped neck acts like a spring, allowing lightning-fast strikes as they hunt—often standing perfectly still like a statue in shallow water.
- They also have special chest feathers that crumble into a fine powder, which they use like a natural sponge to clean fish oils off their feathers—nature’s built-in dry cleaner.
When you come to visit, keep your eyes peeled and see what birds you can spot!
What's Happening in the Park?
Four Bat Houses were installed at Lakes Park. The project was paid for my LPEF and spearheaded by Dr. Wesley Higgins. The Bat facts signs will be installed soon
Join us every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lakes Park Farmer’s Market!
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. 🌿
Looking fresh and delicious! 🥕🍓
Visit the Farmers Market for the best fruits, veggies, and local goodies around. Bursting with color and flavor, these fresh finds are sure to delight your taste buds!
🚂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
❤Lakes Park Bird Patrol Led Nature Walks❤
Bird & Nature Walk
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 | 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.
Hi Birding Buddies,
What a great Bird Walk at Lk. Pk. to start the new year 2026! Thank you to the fantastic participants, of which there were 22, and the fabulous spotters, especially Jose Padilla, Meg Rousher, Joni Curcuru, Ken Hulme, Jan Zionkowski, Elle O'Neill, and James Parliament. The more eyes we have, the more we see. And we saw a lot. The Least Bittern might have been my fave...thanks Meg! Thanks to Jose for the opportunity to say, "The Eagle has landed!" Thanks to Helen Franklin for "We're on a wild Goose chase!" when we were looking for the Egyptian Goose. Lots of laughs today, and great birds!
The eBird list is below...thanks again, Meg. For more info on specific species, scroll to the end of the list and follow the link to eBird. Lakes Park remains a treasured habitat for a variety of fabulous birds.
Hope to see you on Feb. 7, 2026, at 8 AM for the next Lk. Pk. Bird Walk. Don't forget to join Josa Padilla for the Six Mile Cypress Slough Bird Walk next Sat., Jan. 10, at 8 AM, in the parking lot at 6 Mile Slough.
Good Birding,
Marie Di Rosa
Bird Patrol volunteer guide
BIRDS SEEN ON THIS WALK
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
King Rail (Rallus elegans) 1
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 8
American Coot (Fulica americana) 2
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 1
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 6
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) 2
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) 1
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 4
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) 1
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) 1
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 3
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 18
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) 11
Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) 1
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 1
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 2
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 1
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 5
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 1
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 5
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 5
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) 15
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S292147243
Grab your friends, bring your camera, and head to Lakes Park—snap, explore, and let your inner photographer shine!
Photo Credit 📸 Susan Evans @thedailyartisan
Juvenile Bald Eagles
🌱Garden News!🌱
'Yesterday Today and Tomorrow' (Brunfelsia grandiflora):
The romantic name originates from the flowers that open purple, fade to lavender, and then white, with all colors present simultaneously on this beautiful shrub.
📚Welcome to StoryTime!📚
Check it out! 👀
Our newest addition to the Children's Garden...
The new entry archway looks beautiful and will be a meaningful addition to the Story Time area. It’s wonderful to see art integrated so thoughtfully into the Children’s Garden.
Many thanks to the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation for their generosity and continued commitment to enhancing the park. This thoughtful investment will benefit families and visitors for years to come.
💖Love is in the air at The Garden💖
🌿 Planning to visit your garden?
Wednesdays from 9am–1pm during the Farmers Market are the only hours parking fees are waived.
No parking pass? No problem—come tend your garden during that window!
Reminder:
Our season is just getting started, but we’re already planning ahead.
Renewals go out September 1st and must be completed by September 15th, 2026.
New gardeners may sign up starting October 1st, 2026.
This brief break allows time to process invoices—thank you for your understanding!
🌱 Shout-out to Beds 2, 3, 9, 13, 26, 28, 48, 64, 68, and the Children’s Garden!
Together, you donated an incredible 122 pounds on January 8th, bringing our seasonal total to 859 pounds donated to the Community Cooperative.
THANK YOU for making such a meaningful impact! 💚
Please note: Our next scheduled donation day is February 19th, 2026. Come to the park between 8-8:30 am to drop off. Please contact Betsy Woolf at wildflowergreen22@gmail.com for further details. Again, every donation is greatly appreciated!
Proof that garden-fresh happiness grows on the vine
Another happy gardener picking tomatoes!🍅🌿
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.
🌱
Gardening & Planting Resource
https://www.almanac.com/gardening
💐 Fragrance Garden & Succulent Garden 💐
🌹🌹 Rose Garden 🌹🌹
Photographer Susan Evans (@TheDailyArtisan) has been capturing the beauty of Lakes Park through her incredible lens. We truly appreciate her keen eye and artistic vision!
Check out these beautiful flowers!
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
