November 2025 Newsletter
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
🦃 November 2025 🦃
Newsletter
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation's Mission is to enhance & enrich the beauty and experience of Lakes Park
A Message From The President
To all of you who visited the Fall Festival at Lakes Park and especially our “Scarecrows in the Park,” we hope you had a wonderful time. I know I did. Every year, it is fun to work at the event and see the happy families and excited children. Getting to vote for your favorite scarecrow has become a much-anticipated activity. This year we had 45 participants — double last year's — and it was terrific.
Thank you to everyone who built a Scarecrow.
You can read about the winners below!
Now on to another special fall event, Thanksgiving. 🦃This is the time we come together and give thanks for all we have. It’s also a time to remember our less fortunate neighbors and help however we can. This year, especially, things are difficult for many of our neighbors, so I encourage you to drop off some food items to your nearest food bank and help make everyone’s holiday season a little brighter.
And finally the weather is beginning to cool down a little, what better place to spend your days than in Lakes Park. Everything is blooming, the park is in great shape, and the sunsets over the lake are spectacular.
See you there!!
Barbara Manzo
President LPEF
barbara.manzo@lakespark.org
239-229-0387
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
Lakes Park Fall Festival
16th Annual Scarecrows In The Park!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us—our dedicated judges, talented scarecrow makers, generous sponsors, hard-working volunteers, and committed Scarecrow committee.
Your participation made this year's "Record Breaking" event an incredible success with a whopping 45 Scarecrows!!
Let’s celebrate the spirit of collaboration that brought us all together.
2025 VIP Judges
Melissa Vogt with Florida Weekly, Robert Goltz with Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, &
Jason Dunning with Gulf Coast News
VIP Judges' Choice ~ 1st Place
Amavida Living
"The Cheshire Cat"
VIP Judges' Choice~2nd Place
North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
"Dangers, There Be Dragons Here"
Sponsored by Mint's Junk Removal
VIP Judges' Choice ~ 3rd Place
Vada & Billy Sánchez
" Friday The Labubu"
VIP Judges' Choice
Honorable mentions
"Crochetta" ~ I Need To Unwind Crochet Group
"Guardian de las Flores" ~ Labelle Gardening Seed Library
"Riverly Rotella" ~ River Hall Elementary School-Sponsored by Railroad Museum of South Florida
This year's People's Choice
Scarecrow Winners 2025
Congratulations!
1st Place Winner
"Rumi"
by The O'hern Family
2nd Place Winner
"Riverly Rootella"
by Riverhall Elementary School Sponsored by The Railroad Museum
3rd Place Winner "Cinderella"
by River Del Lago Condo Association
Honorable Mentions:
✨ "Guardian de las Flores" by Labelle Gardening Seed Library
✨ "Sponge Bob" by Innovation Preparatory Academy of SMF Sponsored by Hampton Law
✨ "The Cheshire Cat" by Amavida Retirement Community
TOP FINISHERS in the People's Choice Voting
Doc Ford's Scarecrow~
"The Wacky World of Doctor Seuss"
Pokemon Go Club Scarecrow~
"Pokemon Scare-Go"
Salty Sam's Pirate Cruise Scarecrow~
"Captain Salty Sam"
Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Thrift Shop Scarecrow~
"Kiwanis"
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre Scarecrow~
"The Greatest Strawman"
St John XXIII Scarecrow~
"Patchy Pete"
4H County Roots Scarecrow~
"Cock-a-doodle-doomed"
KidsStrong Fort Myers Scarecrow~
"Crowell Deville"
Lee County Parks & Recreation Scarecrow~
"The Florida Man"
Florida Trust Wealth Management Scarecrow~
"Scareibbean Queen"
Tortuga Elementary Scarecrow~
"Wacky Wednesday"
Hog Wild 4H Scarecrow~
"Krazy Clovercrow"
Young Parent Education Scarecrow~
"Cosmic Kitty"
Saint Francis Xavier School Scarecrow~
"Black Cat"
Bay Harbor Apartments Scarecrow~
"Captain Jack Scarecrow"
SWFL Homeschool Group Scarecrow~
"Blossom, Bloom & Doom
The Sanchez Family Scarecrow~
"Friday the Labubu"
To view all the Scarecrows in the Park 2025
Click on the Safe Link Below!
“The Scarecrows in the Park Raffle has officially wrapped up! 🎉
Congratulations to our lucky winners:
- “Land & Sea Family Fun Adventure” Basket – Alexander Joesada
- “All Things Trains” Basket – Laura Poisson
- “Broadway Palm, Everglades & Pirate Cruise” Basket – Nancy Sanders
-
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who supported this fundraising event. Your participation helps the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation continue its mission to enrich and preserve this beloved community treasure. 🌿
Reminders/Special Alerts!
Celebration of Life for Sue Moore
Please join us at 5 pm on Saturday, November 8th, at Lakes Park in the Children’s Garden to pay tribute to Sue Moore. We will be unveiling a plaque and our new mural dedicated to
Story Time in the Park.
Sue’s obituary and more information about her service can be found in the link.
Make it a point to join us at Lakes Park Farmer's Market every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Experience & enjoy fresh produce, local products, and a lively community atmosphere. You won’t want to miss out!
Check our social media pages for updates to our "Plant Sale" dates!
What's Happening in the Park?
The Boardwalk is officially open! 🎉
It looks absolutely amazing—come take a stroll and see for yourself!
Before & After
Come experience an incredible adventure at the Train Museum! Our impressive 1/8 th-scale locomotives, boasting 16 to 16.5 horsepower two-cylinder engines, are just like those found in riding lawn mowers. Enjoy an exhilarating ride powered by our cutting-edge hydraulic system. We’re thrilled for you to hop on board and discover the fascinating world of trains with us!
🚆 Current Train Operating Hours 🚆
Monday through Friday, 10 am-2 pm, and
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-4 pm
Thanksgiving Train Hours, 10 am-4 pm
🦃
Holiday Express Train Operating Hours
Begins December 12th, 2025
Monday through Friday, 10 am-2 pm & 6 pm-9 pm
Sat, Sun & Holidays, 10 am-9 pm
Halloween Express! We had so much fun this year
Thanks for coming out and enjoying the season!
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
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.
🦃Garden News!🦃
Welcome to StoryTime!
Keep your eyes 👀 open! And check out our latest Mural on the Wall in the Children's Garden!
"Dedicated to Sue Moore"
Dedication to be held at 5 pm on November 8th, 2025, in The Children's Garden
🎨 Mural Complete!
We’re thrilled to share the completion of this beautiful mural by artist Roland Ruocco! The Mural Society is deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a wonderful organization and for the continued support of Lee County Parks & Recreation. We love working together to bring art, color, and community spirit to our beautiful county! 💙 www.fortmyersmuralsociety.com
🦃Community Garden🦃
Check out what Vegetables to harvest in
November in SW Florida
https://shorturl.at/UmWiD
💐 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.
Throughout the year, the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation hosts community events designed to raise awareness and funds to support enhancements to Lakes Park.
SCARECROWS in the PARK – a part of the Lakes Park Fall Festival each October. Sponsorships are available, and contestants compete for prizes in two competitions: VIP Judged and The People’s Choice.
- THE LAKES PARK FARMERS MARKET – runs seasonally on Wednesday mornings from October through April.
- PLANT SALES – Support the Botanic Garden! Visit us at the Farmers Market on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from October through April.
Copyright © 2025 Lakes Park, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 61076 Ft. Myers, FL, 33906
239.533.7578
