A Message From The President

October is here, and that means lots of activities are returning to Lakes Park. Fall Festival is here, and we are so excited to once again be hosting Scarecrows in the Park. A totally free part of the festival. This event has become so popular that we had to limit the number of “Scarecrows” we could take. Check out all the information below, and be sure to come vote for your favorite Scarecrow.

October also brings back Farmers Market and Story Time in the park. And let’s hope for the return of cooler weather. Keep your fingers crossed it’s been a brutally hot Summer!!
I hope you’ve had a chance to use the beautiful new Water Playgrounds. Boy, are we glad they are back and better than ever.
So whatever you do, join us for an action-packed October and enjoy everything Lakes Park has to offer!

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
 

If you would like to donate, click here: https://t.ly/Y9L5m

Find out more here: www.lakespark.org

🍂 Fall is in the air, and the park is calling!
Join us this October for cooler breezes, golden sunsets, and family-friendly fun.

What's Happening in the Park?

Updates, Reminders, and Special Alerts

🌽 The Farmers Market Is Back!

Join us at Lakes Park on Wednesday, October 7th, as we welcome back the Farmers Market!
Shop fresh produce, discover local favorites, and support our vendors every Wednesday.
Enjoy craft sales on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays and plant sales on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Something for everyone to look forward to every week! 🌿

🎃Fall is coming to Lakes Park!

Families throughtout SW Florida are welcome to celebrate the season fun at the Annual Lakes Park Fall Festival October 9th-31st, 2026. 
One of the popular attractions returning this year is Scarecrows in the Park. Visitors can stroll through the displays and vote for their favorite scarcrow. Voting begins October 9th for both the VIP Choice Awards and Peoples Choice Award (October 9-October 25th)!
The Halloween Express will be running during festival hours (weather permitting) An other attractions include hayrides & pumpkin patch. 
Visit www.lakespark.org  for all the details!
Interested in volunteering? Please visit our website at www.lakespark.org

A Look Back at Scarecrows in the Park! 🎃

Check out the "Park's" newest additions!

☀️ A New Way to Tell Time at Lakes Park!

A Human Sundial! This interactive feature lets you become part of the clock by using your shadow to tell time. Stop by on a sunny day and try it out!

🚂Railroad Museum News 🚂

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: Van Camp
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 is Back! 🌿📚

Welcome back, families!

We’re so happy to welcome you and your kids for stories, smiles, and a little imagination!

Bring your little ones and join us for a joyful time together. 💚
 Join us today, October 1, 2026, for a fun-filled StoryTime in the Children’s Garden at Lakes Park! Can’t make it? We’ll be back on October 15 for more stories, smiles, and imagination! 

Greeting Gardeners,
It's almost time! Some of you are already getting your beds ready and planting.  It's an exciting time in the garden. If you are having any problems or questions, let Betsy know by emailing her at Betsyw@lakespark.org. Do not reply to this email. It does not get checked often. If you need anything, email Betsy at the email above!
Dirt is being delivered this Friday, September 25th, and our first plant sale will be October 3rd. Plants include: varieties of tomatoes, peppers, kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, and eggplant. Plants are $3 a piece or 7 for $20. All sales are cash only. We will have a variety of free seed packets for you. 
Credit: Lakes Park Community Garden Email

All the seeds have been researched and are recommended for our Florida area & weather

REMINDER: Community Gardens Gardeners 
We will meet on October 10th, 2026 @ 9:00 am. If you cannot make this meeting for any reason, contact Connie Speck at connie.speck@lakespark.org.

PARKING - Lakes Park requires you to pay for parking. You should take care of your parking BEFORE the Orientation.
If you do not, the fine is $60.00, the administration fee is $15.00, plus you will be charged for parking for each infraction.  

Thanks to everyone who donated beds to Gardener Dave to plant sweet potatoes for the food pantry. Dave has been busy digging up over 10 beds of sweet potatoes. What a haul!

This is Gardener Dave. Say hi to him when you see him. He is always working on something. He has a great garden and knows a lot of growing secrets!

Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation thanks We Care Denali for their generous donation of 20 yards of amazing organic compost for the Community Garden Beds!
All the gardeners are just thrilled!

💐 Fragrance Garden, Succulent Garden & Botanic Garden💐

Take a leisurely stroll through the Fragrance Garden and look for lovely heritage rose blooms and the cascading lavender-purple flowers of our Queen’s Wreath. 🌸
Explore our Succulent Garden and discover a fascinating variety of shapes and textures, from plump, rounded leaves to striking, spiky silhouettes. 🌵

“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