November 2026 Newsletter
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
November Newsletter
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation's Mission is to enhance & enrich the beauty and experience of Lakes Park
A Message From The President
Every time I drive into Lakes Park, I’m reminded of why parks are so important. Right in the middle of the busiest area of Lee County is an Oasis. A place where you leave the traffic of Gladiolus and escape into a world of nature and calm. A place where sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, and the wildlife greets you. Gardens, trails, lakes, and benches to sit on and reflect all add to the serenity. But parks are important for another reason: community, people, volunteers. Lakes Park helps you connect with people, whether you're walking, exercising, birdwatching, gardening, or joining the larger community of volunteers. It never ceases to amaze me the joy people get from volunteering. I don’t know where we would be without our volunteers.
They are an army helping to make Lakes Park what it is and keep it beautiful. Where would you be without your parks or your volunteer community? Let us know; we are looking for your stories!
Please see the news below and don’t hesitate to write or call us with your suggestions and comments. Please share this newsletter with your friends & family.
Our mailing address is: PO Box 61076, Ft. Myers, FL 33906
Barbara Manzo
President LPEF
barbara.manzo@lakespark.org
🍂 November invites us to slow down, enjoy the outdoors, and give thanks for the beauty around us. Take a stroll through Lakes Park and savor the simple joys of nature, friendship, and community.
What's Happening in the Park?
Updates, Reminders, and Special Alerts
🎃
The Votes Are In!
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation is excited to announce the
VIP & People’s Choice winners of
Scarecrows in the Park! Thank you to everyone who created, visited, and voted for these imaginative displays!
VIP Winners
VIP 1st Place Winner:
Edward Hookhands Grooming Salon
Created by
I Need To Unwind Crochet Group
VIP 2nd Place Winner:
Batty Betty Baker
Created by Amavida Resort Retirement
VIP 3rd Place Winner:
Mr. Vincent Van Crow
Built by: Caloosa Elementary School Art Classes
Sponsored by Signal of Ft. Myers & Naples
Honorable Mentions
The Ohern Family "The Sooktacular Ice Cream Man
North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts "Scarecrow & Mifflin, Hay Company"
Sponsored by
Seltz Law
People's Choice Scarecrows in the Park Winners
People's Choice 1st Place Winner:
Edward Hookhands Grooming Salon
Created by
I Need To Unwind Crochet Group
People's Choice 2nd Place Winner:
Mr. Vincent Van Crow
Built by:
Caloosa Elementary School Art Classes
Sponsored by
Signal of Ft. Myers & Naples
People's Choice 3rd Place Winner:
"Honey, the Queen Bee"
Built by: Open Door Preschool
🎃 A Huge Thank You!
We’re so grateful to this year’s Scarecrows in the Park sponsors, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, school and youth groups, families, and scarecrow builders! Your generosity, creativity, and hard work filled Lakes Park with smiles and fall fun.
From supporting the event to lending a hand and bringing imaginative scarecrows to life, each of you helped make this beloved community tradition possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!
🌽 Fresh Finds & Fall Fun at Lakes Park!
Make Wednesdays a little more wonderful! Visit the Lakes Park Farmers Market every Wednesday for fresh produce, local favorites, and friendly faces.
🎨
Craft sales: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
🌿
Plant sales: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
Bring a friend, support local vendors, and discover something special this November!
🚂Railroad Museum News 🚂
Weekdays: 10 am-2 pm & 6 pm-9 pm
Saturday & Sunday & Holidays: 10 am-9 pm
Would you like to volunteer?
www.rrmsf.org/volunteer
📸 Thank You for Sharing Your Lakes Park Moments! 🌿
Thank you to everyone who has shared photos for our Lakes Park Photo of the Month! From beautiful wildlife to peaceful scenery and family fun, your snapshots capture what makes our park so special.
We love seeing
Lakes Park through your lens—keep those wonderful photos coming! 📷
Lakes Park Photo of the Month!
Share your favorite photo from Lakes Regional Park on our Facebook page or tag @LakesParkEnrichmentFoundation for a chance to be featured in our monthly newsletter! Whether it's a breathtaking sunset, wildlife, scenic trails, or family fun, we'd love to see the park through your lens. 📷✨
📍
Lakes Regional Park
7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908
@VisitFortMyers
PHOTO CREDIT: Lee County Parks & Recreation
Thank you for the incredible images you captured at Lakes Park!
Bird & Nature Walk 🐦🌿
Join us on the first Saturday of every month for a relaxing and exciting Bird & Nature Walk through beautiful Lakes Park!
🕗
When: 8:00 AM (arrive a few minutes early—walk begins promptly!)
📍
Where:
Meet at Shelter A7 near the Train Station
Enter from Gladiolus, turn right, and follow the road to the end through the parking lot.
Bring your sense of adventure along with water, binoculars, and sunscreen. Don’t forget comfortable shoes and dress for the weather!
Discover local wildlife, enjoy peaceful scenery, and connect with fellow nature lovers.
The tour is free, with paid parking.🦅
Good birding!
Marie Di Rosa | (239) 789-5755
Garden News!
📚🌿 StoryTime 🌿📚
Thank you for bringing your kids to Storytime!
We are having the best turnouts!
Take a relaxing stroll through one of our beautiful gardens—or explore them all—and discover the natural beauty waiting around every corner at Lakes Park.
💐 Fragrance Garden, Succulent Garden & Botanic Garden💐
🌸
Fragrance Garden: Enjoy a peaceful November stroll through the garden. Take in the greenery and pause to appreciate the simple beauty around you.
🌵
Succulent Garden: Discover nature’s creativity in the sculptural shapes and fascinating textures of our succulents—from rounded leaves to spiky silhouettes. There’s something to admire beyond the blooms!
🌿
Botanic Garden: November is a lovely time to slow down and explore the Botanic Garden at Lakes Park. Enjoy the variety of foliage, colors, and textures, and find a little inspiration for your own garden along the way!
🧱🧱 Leave your legacy at Lakes Park! 🧱🧱
Create something lasting by dedicating a personalized brick—an enduring tribute to someone special that will be seen and remembered for years to come.
Your contribution helps bring beautiful paved pathways to life throughout the park.
Choose a meaningful spot for your brick: 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 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
