May 2025 Newsletter
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
May 2025
Newsletter
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundations' Mission is to enhance & enrich the beauty and experience of Lakes Park
Message from the President
May 2025
It might be hot out, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy Lakes Park. The mornings are especially beautiful when the birds take flight and the temperature is lower. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures and go on a guided Bird Walk or walk through the gardens on your own, enjoying the tranquility and wildlife. Just remember, don’t feed the alligators or any other wildlife. They get used to humans and no longer fear us and then have to be removed! (See the article below.)
Check out our monthly auction item and be sure to submit your bid.
As you walk through the park, you will see lots of maintenance going on. The decking on the causeway is being repaired, and while that’s going on, parts of the paths may be closed.
Many thanks to our numerous donors. We are constantly amazed at how generous you are. It keeps us going!
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
239.533.7578
Barbara Manzo
President LPEF
barbara.manzo@lakespark.org
239-229-0387
If you would like to donate, click here- https://t.ly/Y9L5m
Find out more here- www.lakespark.org
✨Congrats to the winner of our March basket✨
Malissa
@VisitFortMyers
linktr.ee/lakespark
Extended Basket Auction
LAKES PARK BASKET AUCTION- BID TODAY AUCTION LINK: https://t.ly/YZ3W3
Open the comment section first. Then place your bid in the comment section of the basket you would like to bid on! Come back often to see if you are the highest bidder or bid again. Bidding ends on the last day of the month.
Good Luck & Happy Bidding!
"The Spa & Pure Florida Dolphin Watch / Eco Boat Tour Basket "
Valued at $415
Perfect for that Special Lady in your life!
✔️Includes: Handcrafted herbal tea mug🍵, soft & cozy blanket & socks🧦, candle🕯️, exfoliating brush🧽, potted plant, & 25% off a facial & LED treatment💡, and Pure Florida Dolphin🐬Watch / Eco Boat Tour tickets for 2 adults.
This basket is made for pampering & relaxation!
Thank you to our donors
(This basket has been generously donated by Kate Hampton of Rebel & Dart, a Holistic wellness company, and Pure Florida Dolphin Watch & The Julian Family)
AUCTION LINK: https://t.ly/YZ3W3
Please watch for more auction baskets on Facebook- Lakes Park Basket Auction Group.
Follow this link https://t.ly/k7Snd
💥We're excited to announce💥
Lakes Park Fall Festival~Scarecrows In The Park!
“Time to start making your fall plans!”
Get a jump on the next school year and plan to build a scarecrow. School and youth groups are FREE.
Businesses are welcome to build OR sponsor a Youth/School group to build a Scarecrow in the Park🎃
Please note:
This is a reminder that you should not feed the alligators.
We have been observing this alligator by the Whistle Stop. He has been fed and has lost his fear of humans. FWC was called & a trapper came out. They easily caught the 5’ 4” long gator. And now he is heading to the alligator farm.
Please Do Not Feed the alligators, it is dangerous and illegal.
Thank you for your understanding.
PRESS RELEASE
Lakes Park boardwalk sections to temporarily
close for maintenance
Sections of the boardwalk at Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive in Fort Myers, temporarily will be closed for maintenance beginning May 1 through mid-September.
The closure will include the boardwalk to the west of Whistle Stop Ice Cream and the marina area. However, the ice cream shop will remain open throughout the maintenance period.
The project is part of ongoing improvements to enhance safety and accessibility at Lakes Park. The planned timeline, weather permitting, is:
- April 15-30 – Mobilization and staging of equipment and materials.
- May - June – Renovation of boardwalks
- July - August – Work on boardwalk and the concession area.
- September – Final wrap-up, with anticipated project completion by mid-September.
For safety and efficiency, the entire project area will remain closed throughout the construction period rather than reopening sections as they are completed. This will allow crews to complete the work more quickly and with minimal disruption.
For more information about Lee County Parks and Recreation locations, amenities and special events, visit www.leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275, email leeparks@leegov.com or visit leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
PRESS RELEASE
Lee County Parks & Recreation to transition paid parking locations to a unified payment system
Updated parking system allows park patrons to pay by text message, a mobile app, through a website or at a kiosk
Fort Myers, FL, April 22, 2025 – Lee County Parks & Recreation is transitioning its paid parking locations to an updated parking system that allows residents and visitors to pay by text message, a mobile app, through a website or at a kiosk.
The transition will begin May 1, 2025, and will provide a standardized and user-friendly parking experience across all designated sites. The parking vender, Premium Parking, is already utilized at various downtown Fort Myers locations.
The transition will take place at the following Lee County Parks & Recreation managed sites:
- Beach Parks: Bonita Beach Park, Bonita Beach Access #1, Bonita Beach Access #10, Bowditch Point Beach Park, Bowmans Beach, Turner Beach, Lynn Hall Memorial Beach Park and San Carlos Bay/Bunche Beach Preserve.
- Boat Ramps: Alva Boat Ramp, Davis Boat Ramp, Imperial River Boat Ramp, Lavender’s Landing, Matlacha Boat Ramp and Pine Island Commercial Marina.
- Regional Parks: Lakes Park, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Manatee Park, Hickey Creek Mitigation Park and Caloosahatchee Regional Park.
Payments can be made using the following methods:
- Pay by Phone: After scanning the QR code, users will receive a text message with a link to pay for parking. Alternatively, texting PARK to the designated short code will generate a payment link.
- Pay at Kiosk: Locate the Premium Parking kiosk in the parking lot, enter your license plate number, select the amount of time, and pay using cash, debit, or credit card. Kiosks do not provide change. Beach parks will initially only offer text-to-pay and online payment options until kiosks are installed at a later date.
- Pay Online: Visit www.premiumparking.com, locate the parking lot, enter your license plate number, and follow the instructions to complete payment.
- Mobile App: The Premium Parking app is available for download via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
The $60 annual Lee County Parks & Recreation parking pass remains available. Instead of a physical sticker, users will register their vehicle’s license plate digitally, eliminating the need to display stickers. Patrons who currently have physical stickers will be automatically transitioned to the new digital system.
Parking rates at all Lee County Parks & Recreation locations will remain the same. (No additional paid lots are being added with this transition; many Parks sites have free parking.) A $0.35 convenience fee will apply to all credit card transactions.
For more details on parking changes, visit www.leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275, or email leeparks@leegov.com. Follow @leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram for updates. You can also visit www.leegov.com/parking.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc
Lakes Park Craft Tables at "Ding" Darling Day Conservation Carnival
ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING EVENT WITH THE FORT MYERS LIONS &
LIONS CLUBS OF LEE COUNTY
🚆 Train Operating Hours 🚆
Mon-Fri- 10am-2pm
Sat-Sun & Holidays- 10am-4pm
Would you like to volunteer?
www.rrmsf.org/volunteer
🌷 FARMERS MARKET 🌷
The Lakes Park Farmers Market is every Wednesday
9AM - 1PM Through June 2025
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation craft & plant table will see you next year!
Have a great summer!
🍊Enjoy the SW Florida weather with us!🍊
🐰🦅 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
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. Parking is $ 1 per hour or
$ 5 for the entire day.
Lakes Park Summer Camp
Registration is now open!
Register 3 ways: ~Online at www.leeparks.org/register ~
By phone (239) 533-7275 ~ In Person at 7330 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33908
Specialty camps run from 8am-4:30pm
1st camp begins June 16th-20th, 2025
🌱 GARDEN NEWS 🌱
The Lee County Library staff invites you & your kids to sing songs, do a craft & listen to stories. Contact Info@LakesPark.org with any questions! Head over to the Children’s Garden on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the Month from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Contact Info@LakesPark.org with any questions you may have!
❤️ Community Garden ❤️
Greetings Fellow Gardeners,
The Community Cooperative accepted its last donations of the season on Thursday, April 24th, 2025
If you have greens in your garden, let Betsy harvest them.
If you have any questions or want to help, please email Betsy at wildflowergreen22@gmail.com
The Steering Committee meets monthly.
If you have any suggestions or concerns, email Connie at communitygarden@lakespark.org
💐 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🍊Veteran Day🔹Thanksgiving🦃Christmas🎄 Birthdays🍰& Anniversaries💍
Your donation will assist in creating beautiful paved paths in selected 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
Lakes Park Tidbits
At Lakes Park, discover activities that benefit your mind, body and soul. Bring your family and friends and improve your well-being today. There's something for everyone, making it a perfect destination for all!
The park has 158 acres of man-made freshwater lakes
A scenic boardwalk & walking trails, paved & natural (accessible to people with mobility issues)
You can spot birds like Ibises, herons, and sometimes alligators—be mindful when strolling along! There are fitness stations around the water.
Children's Garden, Community Garden, Fragrance & Succulent Gardens & Rose Garden -Covered picnic areas & playground
Train Museum & a miniature train that offers 15-minute rides. Bike & boat rentals & food concessions
Park volunteers also provide assisted tours on a golf cart.
Copyright © 2024 Lakes Park, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 61076 Ft. Myers, FL, 33906
239.533.7578
