October 2025
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation's Mission is to enhance & enrich the beauty and experience of Lakes Park
A Message From The President
While it might be officially fall in the rest of the country, here in Southwest Florida, it’s still Summer. What that means is while you are enjoying Fall in Lakes Park, you won’t need that jacket like they do up North.
For those of you returning to the Park who haven’t been there since before the Summer, you will see a lot of construction going on. So let me officially say “Pardon Our Mess”.
Hooray, the Splash Pads are finally being replaced three years after Hurricane Ian totally destroyed them. Work is progressing quickly, so the project is expected to be completed before its official deadline in May 2026.
The Causeway over the Lakes has had all its handrails replaced. There are still some things to get done, but you should be able to get back out there soon.
The last project is the Alum dispenser. What the heck is Alum, you say? Well, it’s a naturally occurring mineral compound that keeps the Lake water clear by removing the insoluble solids like bird poop.
Lakes Park is famous for birds, and with birds comes poop, which is a big pollutant of the lake water. So pumps and pipes are being installed with an automatic dispenser to apply alum as needed. This will keep the water in the lakes clean as it flows out through Hendry Creek to the Estero Bay.
So get out to the Farmers Market, which starts on the 1st of October and make sure you come to The Fall Festival and Scarecrows in the Park, which starts on the 10th of October!
See you all 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!
Scarecrows will be taking over the
Children's Garden in October!
For the past 15 years, the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation has hosted this free, family-friendly event. This year's theme is "The Wild, Wacky, Weird World of Scarecrows." Over 40 businesses, Nonprofits, Families, and Youth Groups have signed up to design and build individual scarecrows that will be on display for viewing from October 10th to 31st during open park hours, 7 days a week.
People's Choice voting will be held on Thursdays & Fridays from 5pm-9pm, and on Saturdays & Sundays from 10am-9pm, with the People's Choice voting ending on Sunday, October 26th, at 9pm.
VIP judging will be held on opening night, October 10th and winners will be announced at 6pm.
Come out to the park and visit the Children's Garden to view these incredibly funny, creative, unusual, silly, crazy, scary and strange scarecrows!
FUN FOR ALL AGES!
👻🎃 Volunteers Needed👻🎃
Volunteers will hand out tickets for voting and assist with other Scarecrow duties in the Children's Garden
Thursday-Sunday's: October 10th- October 26th, 2025
CLICK THIS LINK! 👉
https://shorturl.at/MsZpt
Helpful Links
http://www.fortmyerspumpkinpatch.com/
https://www.lakespark.org/
http://www.rrmsf.org/ail
The past editions of Scarecrows in the Park have been unforgettable experiences that capture the essence of creativity and community spirit!
Halloween Express
Starts October 10th thru 31st, 2025
10am to 2pm and 6pm-9pm Monday-Friday
10am-9pm Saturday & Sunday
October is a special time in the park!
The Farmer's Market will be open every Wednesday morning 9am.
Scarecrow in the Park begins October 10-31. Both of these events are very popular and a lot of fun.
We highly recommend them. Parking during this time can be challenging.
If you are coming to tend your garden, please arrive before 11:00 AM. The earlier the better!
Especially on the weekends.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Wendi Carroll, you are the Lakes Park August/September
Auction Basket Winner!!
Happy Birthday!
Volunteer Extraordinaire Kathy Busick
celebrated her birthday at the LPEF Board Meeting on September 19th.
Thanks, Kathy, for all you do.
We can’t do it without you!
What's Happening in the Park?
Clean Up Day!
We will be having a "Clean up Day " in the garden
on October 11th.
Clean up begins at 8:30am and finishes around 10am. Have you registered with Lakes Park to become a volunteer? Log on to the website at volunteerservices@leegov.com to start your application. You get nice rewards for volunteering. For just 40 hours, you can obtain a "Parking Pass" that grants you access to multiple beach and park areas. There is constantly weeding, trimming, organizing, and much more that needs to be done.
We need more help!
If you had a volunteer job in the garden and can do it again, please let Connie know through email Conniespeck@lakespark.org
We also need concrete bed builders. You don't have to know anything about concrete, just help with the process. Our contract, which everyone signs to get a bed, states that you will volunteer a few hours to help out. It doesn't take a lot of time if everyone helps. Please let Connie know when you are available.
BE on the LOOKOUT!
Have you seen these signs around the parking lots at Lakes Park?
There is a new system of paying for parking. A license plate reader will read your plate as you enter the park. When you pay the fee, it is registered with your plate.
If you don't pay the cost, you may get a $50 parking ticket.
Please note: All gardeners must have a parking pass or pay the daily fee when coming to Lakes Park.
The Railroad Museum of South Florida, Inc. is a non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving, collecting, documenting and interpreting the exciting story of the railroads of America. The Railroad Museum and Train Village make an excellent destination for a family outing!
🚆 Train Operating Hours 🚆
As of October 1st, we have returned to our regular schedule:
Monday through Friday, 10am-2pm, and
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-4pm.
Halloween Express Starts
October 10th thru 31st, 2025
10am to 2pm and 6pm-9pm Monday-Friday
10am-9pm Saturday & Sunday
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!
As you walk through The Children's Garden, don’t miss the enchanting murals that await you—each one tells a story and adds to the magic of your visit!
Murals are courtesy of The Fort Myers Mural Society
Two of our amazing park staff members, Ross and Kyle, decided that the path entering the gardens could use some sprucing up! They did an incredible job making this path welcoming and inviting.
🎃 Community Garden🎃
Greetings Gardeners,
Have you renewed your bed?
The last day to renew and pay was September 30th.
Your steering committee has been very busy planting seeds and getting the garden ready
for you. We are having our first plant sale on October 4th. It starts at 9 am and finishes at noon.
Come and get plants for your garden.
We will have kale, cherry and large tomatoes, jalapenos and bell peppers, eggplant, Swiss chard, collards, broccoli and cauliflower.
Each plant will be $3 or you can save a dollar and get 7 for $20. Cash only, please. Every gardener who buys plants will receive a complimentary bag of enriched soil.
One bag per bed while supplies last.
All profits stay in Lakes Park and help our garden. Soil will have been delivered before the plant sale. This soil is ideal for topping off your bed. We will also have a seed swap bin available on Plant Sale Day.
If you need seeds, please take them. If you have extra seeds, please share them.
We are a community of gardeners!
Our second plant sale will be on October 25th from 9-11. After that date, plants will be sold at the Farmer's Market on Wednesdays at Lakes Park for a slightly higher fee.
Check out what Vegetables That Thrive In
Florida’s Humid Climate
https://shorturl.at/oJv7w
We broke another record!
This year, we had many gardeners donate their beds to let Dave plant and grow sweet potatoes. In the last few weeks, he has been working very hard, digging up these tubers and cleaning out beds. Can you believe that he harvested over 350 pounds of sweet potatoes? All of these potatoes will be donated to the Community Cooperative. Thanks to everyone for helping with this project. Many hungry families are grateful. Betsy will once again be in charge of the CC donation for this season. Please email her if you have produce or extra boxed goods to give. wildflowergreen22@gmail.com
💐 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 © 2024 Lakes Park, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 61076 Ft. Myers, FL, 33906
239.533.7578
