March 2026 Newsletter
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
☘ March 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 hard to believe that we are entering the third month of 2026! So much is going on in our world that it is hard to keep up. But here in Lakes Park, progress is indeed being made on several of our big construction projects.
As you walk around the park, you will notice that the boardwalk has been completed in many areas, and new sections are closed for work. We look forward to the end of this project in late Spring.
Our beloved water playgrounds, which were totally destroyed by Hurricane Ian, are nearing completion. Again, walking around, you will see the animal features have been installed, and completion is scheduled for May. What a relief that will be to have those up and running during the hotter months.
I hope you took a walk through the Children’s Garden and saw the beautiful bronze arch purchased by the Foundation that leads to the Story Time area.
Also, there is a new path to the Rose Garden, and you will see new concrete beds in the Community Garden, all installed by our volunteers. Kudos to all our volunteers for their work.
The winter months have been chilly, but that has not kept people from the park.
As always, I encourage you to get out in the park and enjoy nature. It's good for your health!
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/Y9L5mhttps://t.ly/Y9L5m
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
Thank you, Kathy, for capturing the beauty of Lakes Regional Park and sharing it with us! 🌿✨
Please Note:
Phase 2 update:
Boardwalk 3 -The bridge just west of the causeway has reopened!
Now, Boardwalk 2, the bridge adjacent to the west weir, is Closed For Repairs.
The bird statues (Osprey and Great Blue Heron) have been replaced on the Lakes Park southbound playground. Go check them out!
Check out our Special Visitor last Month
Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill Fun Facts:
A vibrant, pink-feathered bird found in the Americas, often mistaken for a flamingo but unrelated
- Similar to flamingos, their bright pink feathers are obtained from their diet, which includes small crustaceans containing carotenoid pigments.
- Juvenile spoonbills are fully feathered, but adults lose feathers on their heads as they age, leaving a yellowish-green skin covering.
- Of the six species of spoonbills worldwide, the Roseate is the only one that lives in the Americas.
- Photo Credit 📸 Susan Evans @thedailyartisan
When you come to visit, keep your eyes peeled and see what
birds you can spot! 🍀👉
☘ What's Happening in the Park? ☘
🌈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. 🌿
☘☘🚂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!
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!🍀
☘📚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!
Gay Thomas, Park Volunteering leading ST, is so devoted to promoting reading with youngsters that she bought a new lending library to replace the old one we were going to refurbish.
The little lady in the pic is not crying…her mom says this is how she smiles for the camera!!!
Brian K is with Gwen K and Lauryn L in the Children's Garden
Cooper the Caterpillar has a brand new sign — and it’s blooming with learning! 🌱
Now on display, it beautifully illustrates the life cycle of a plant, from a tiny seed to a sprout, a blossom, and beyond. Stop by to see it and watch nature’s magic unfold!
🍀Community Garden🍀
On February 19th, the Community Garden donated over 86 pounds of produce and dry goods. So far this season, we have given over 1176 pounds of food to the Community Cooperative. Thanks to beds 54,11,2,3,69,50,48,32,28.29,68,60,4 and the Children's Garden. A big thank you to Jim and Robyne for helping Betsy with the harvest. If you are getting ready to go up north and are cleaning out your pantry, remember to donate unopened canned or boxed goods. To donate, you can leave bagged items with your name and bed number in the tall bin by the front gate. Betsy checks it often. Bring items to the garden this weekend when you water it. Harvesting produce will occur on Thursday morning at 8 AM. If you cannot be there, Betsy and her team are happy to pick up for you. Please email Betsy at wildflowergreen22@gmail.com. Tell her your bed number, what to pick, and how much.
Thanks so much,
Gardeners are the best!
(Credit: Lakes Park Community Garden Newsletter & Nancy Sanders)
Please note: Our next scheduled donation day is March 12th, 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!
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.
☘🌱March Planting Tips for Southwest Florida🌱☘
With frost risk behind us, it’s the perfect time to plant warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, and watermelons. You can also sow heat-tolerant herbs, okra, and sweet potatoes, and add vibrant color with flowers such as pentas, petunias, and marigolds.
🌱 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
