January 2026 Newsletter
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
✨ January 2025
✨
Newsletter
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundations' Mission is to enhance & enrich the beauty and experience of Lakes Park
A Message From The President
If you’re reading this Newsletter, I know that you love Lakes Park. But I also know that many of you come to Lakes Park for a specific reason, like a Train Ride, the Farmers' Market, or Story Time, and maybe you’ve never even seen the rest of the park.
Lakes Park is a natural wonderland of abundant Flora and Fauna. Did you know that Lakes Park is listed as a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail? Did you also know that Bobcats are frequently spotted at Lakes, and that an occasional Panther is even spotted!
Further down in this Newsletter, you can see the incredible photographs taken at Lakes Park by photographer Susan Evans. Susan has graciously agreed to let us use her photos. Bet you never saw an American Bald Eagle dining on a frog!
If you are interested, you can join a Bird Walk on the first Saturday of each month.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed the holiday season at Lakes and took a train ride, or just took advantage of the beautiful weather.
By the time you read this, it will already be 2026! How is that possible? As you make your New Year's resolution, include adding more outdoor time and less screen time to the list, especially for your children. Science has proven the health benefits of being outdoors.
On behalf of the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation, I would like to wish you and yours a very Healthy and Happy 2026.
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
FUN FACT: Science shows that being outdoors boosts mental health by cutting stress (lowers cortisol & heart rate) improving focus, mood and creativity, reducing anxiety & depression; physically, it aids heart health (lower BP), boosts Vitamin D, supports immunity, improves sleep via natural light, enhances physical fitness and even speeds healing with benefits seen from forests to city parks, even just a window view.
If you would like to donate, click here- https://t.ly/Y9L5m
Find out more here- www.lakespark.org
Updates, Reminders, and Special Alerts
HAS ANYONE SEEN OUR BIRDBATH!
Our beautiful birdbath, generously donated by one of our volunteers for the Children’s Garden, has been taken. Our volunteers work hard to keep the gardens welcoming for everyone to enjoy.
We kindly ask that the birdbath be returned to the Children’s Garden so all visitors—especially the children—can continue to enjoy it. Thank you for helping us care for this special space.
Contact: info@lakespark.org
📖✨ Please note: Story Time will not be taking place on January 1st, 2026. The Lakes Park Library will be closed in observance of the holiday. We look forward to seeing you at our next Story Time!
Lee County is expanding the availability or lifesaving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) with additional units to be placed outdoors in five Parks & Recreation locations.
The addition of these units will mean 73 AEDs are deployed at Parks & Recreation facilities. Lee County Emergency Medical Services responds to 20 to 30 cardiac-related calls at park locations annually.
Cardiac arrest survival requires quick intervention by members of the public. The likelihood of survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest exponentially increases when bystander CPR or use of an AED is administered. An increase in public knowledge will lead to higher survival rates in the county.
In addition, the AEDs are housed in cabinets and will also include Stop the Bleed equipment to help control life-threatening bleeding. The cabinets are located near restrooms or other structures because they use electric power to keep equipment charged and climate-controlled. The cabinet will automatically alert 9-1-1 when it is accessed and the nearest ambulance will respond.
Lt. Cory Witte highlights the new public AED cabinets installed at Three Oaks Park, Lakes Park and Buckingham Park — with more locations coming soon.
These cabinets include an AED and AutoTQ tourniquet, giving bystanders the ability to act quickly in a cardiac or bleeding emergency before help arrives. Thank you to our partners at Lee County Parks & Recreation for helping make our community safer.
What's Happening in the Park?
Aerial View Showcasing the Completed South Lakes Boardwalk at Lakes Park
📸Photo Credit: Dave McGinnis | Park Ranger
Join us every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lakes Park Farmers' 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 Foundations' 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, 10 am-4 pm
The Holiday Express was filled with smiles, laughter, and festive cheer!
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this season truly special. 🚂
Would you like to volunteer?
www.rrmsf.org/volunteer
Thank you to our happy volunteers making a difference in the park last month! 😊
Their smiles and hard work helped keep Lakes Park beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
🎆Lakes Park Bird Patrol Led Nature Walks🎆
Happy New Year 2026, Birding Buddies! Start the New Year off right with a walk in the beautiful Lakes Regional Park!
See you there!
Good Birding, Marie Di Rosa (239) 789-5755
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 end of road, continue through the parking lot.
Bring water, binoculars & sunscreen
Please wear comfortable shoes 👟 & dress for the weather
INFORMATION: 📞Call (239)533-7275
7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908
The Tour is free with paid parking.
✨Lakes Park has been buzzing with visitors this winter—both two-legged and winged! Guests have been spotting Wood Storks, Eagles, graceful Egrets, colorful Butterflies, and so much more. If you haven’t made it out to Lakes Park yet, you’re truly missing Mother Nature’s premier show—and the best seats are waiting for you! 🌿
🦅🦋
Grab your friends, bring your camera, and experience the magic for yourself!
Photo Credit 📸 Susan Evans @thedailyartisan susan117@comcast.net
🎆Garden News!🎆
Volunteers Craig, Scot, Howard, and Jeff have been busy building a path to the Rose Garden to make it accessible to everyone!
The path is being made with brick salvaged from the old Splash Pads!
This beautiful and mature staghorn was moved from the back of the Fragrance Garden, where it was barely visible, to this spot in the Children’s Garden, where more folks will be able to enjoy looking at it.
Our Lakes Park volunteers are tending to the butterfly garden in the Children’s Garden. Left to Right – Terry, Kathy and Bonnie. Thanks for all your hard work!
📚Welcome to StoryTime!📚
Keep your eyes wide open! 👀
Come see our newest murals brightening up the Children’s Garden—full of color, fun, and surprises for all ages!
📖✨ Please note: Story Time will not be taking place on January 1st, 2026. The Lakes Park Library will be closed in observance of the holiday.
We look forward to seeing you at our next Story Time!
💐 Fragrance Garden & Succulent Garden 💐
🌹🌹 Rose Garden 🌹🌹
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
Please note that our Bench Dedication Program has been paused until further notice.
“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 that 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
