A Message From The President



September Already! This year has flown and in its wake we are seeing some exciting changes in Lakes Park. 

First and foremost, the Waterpark features are back and better than ever. Just in time for the rest of the dreadful heat in August and September.
When Hurricane Ian hit in September 2022, we knew it would be a while before we were up and running, but no one could have predicted four years! Thank you all for your patience and enjoy them now that we have them. 

The Gardens are flourishing and lots of native orchids have been reintroduced. See the article below. And next month means Scarecrows in the Park as part of our Fall Festival. If you haven’t signed up yet to make a scarecrow, there’s still time. 

Remember, Lakes Park is available for everyone, and the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation is here to help support the park and enhance your experience!
Support us in any way you can.
Thanks to all our donors and volunteers for all you do to make Lakes Park the oasis it is.

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

What's Happening in the Park?

Updates, Reminders, and Special Alerts

"Scarecrows in the Park Volunteers Needed"
 

Volunteers Scarecrow Ambassadors are needed Friday, October 9th - Sunday October 25th to welcome visitors and hand out tickets for People's Choice voting. Three-hour shifts are scheduled Thursdays and Fridays between 4 - 9:15 pm and on Saturdays & Sundays between 8:30 am - 9:15 pm.

Sign up for as many or few shifts as you like. Halloween costumes are welcome but not required. Volunteers meet at the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation tent in the Children's Garden.  Water and snacks will be provided for volunteers. Don't forget your sunscreen &/or bug spray.

Click here to sign up: https://signup.com/go/LMkjmXG

Volunteers must be over 18 years and older. Note: the system does NOT accept any school email addresses; please use another email account when signing up to volunteer. 

For additional information, please email scarecrows@lakespark.org

Sponsor A Scarecrow This October

Help us create a festive community display while supporting a local youth group!

For only $300, a youth group will build and decorate a scarecrow sponsored by your business. Throughout the event, your business will be recognized as a valued community supporter.

It’s a fun and memorable way to:

• Support local youth
• Promote your business
• Show your community spirit
• Help make October extra special

Sponsor a scarecrow and watch your community spirit come to life!

ORCHID PLANTING PHOTOS

Native orchids were planted at Lakes Park in August!

Thanks to the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation and orchid expert Dr. Wesley Higgins, 121 native South Florida orchids are being reintroduced this season. Most of Florida's native orchids are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and decades of illegal collection.
Come see them bloom with our new native orchid restoration project!
Thanks to all who participated!

📸 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: VICTORIA FISHER COLLINS
Thank you for the incredible images you captured at Lakes Park!

🚂Railroad Museum News 🚂

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!

Greetings Gardeners!

It's that feeling we all get at this time of year. It's almost time to get our hands dirty. The heat is still here, but Fall is creeping towards us. Cooler temperatures, rainy evenings, and sunny days are what make plants happy. Your steering committee, Betsy, Connie, Robyne, Marilyn, and Nancy, are working to get everything ready. Renewals have already gone out via email. Many of you have signed up, and we can't wait to see you in the garden again. If you have not seen the email, please check your spam. It went out around August 15th. Signed contracts and payment are due on or before Sept. 15th.
If you are not renewing your bed or did not get the renewal email, please let Betsy know by emailing her at Betsyw@lakespark.org.
An open-bed lottery email will be sent to new gardeners on Sept. 20th.
Thank you to everyone who has donated their bed to Gardener Dave to plant sweet potatoes for the food pantry. He will begin digging up the potatoes starting at the beginning of September.

Credit: Lakes Park Community Garden Newsletter

Garden ladies are working hard planting lots of seeds.
Our first plant sale will be on October 3rd. Plants will include: kale, bell peppers, collards, cauliflower, broccoli, cherry and large tomatoes, and black and striped eggplant. Plants will be $3 each or 7 for $20.
All the proceeds stay in the park. A second sale will be on October 10th. 
Free seeds will be available with every purchase. 

💐 Fragrance Garden, Succulent Garden & Botanic Garden💐

“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.