February 2025 Newsletter
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
💕 January 2025 💕
Newsletter
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation's Mission is to enhance the beauty and experience of Lakes Park
Message from the President
February 💕 2025
As 2025 gets off to a fast and furious start, I am happy to inform you that the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation Board is thriving and moving as fast as possible to deliver on our "Mission to Enhance the Park and Enrich the Community!"
We now have 15 active board members which is amazing since we were down to four board members trying to hold it all together after Covid! We had a very productive workshop in January where we set new goals and every Board Member is busy with their assignments. Please keep checking our website and social media to see what is happening each month.
Look for some of the new and exciting ways to get involved. We are planning to have a monthly online auction, a photo contest, and some new programs. Thanks to all of our wonderful donors and careful oversight of our funds, we are now in a position to assist Lakes Park with some of the things they would like to enhance the park, such as a bat house, new storage areas, a garden workshop, and more art in the park.
I fully expect 2025 to be an exciting year for our Foundation. With your help, we can continue to do what we do best…help you enjoy Lakes Park.
Barbara Manzo
President LPEF
barbara.manzo@lakespark.org
239-229-0387
💖
Come out and enjoy all the activities we offer at Lakes Park!
Engaging in outdoor activities is a fantastic way to boost your mental well-being and connect with nature. It can help reduce stress and anxiety and lead you to a happier mindset. Don't miss an opportunity to enrich your life and experience its positive impact! "Every Day is Earth Day" at Lakes Park!
At Lakes Park, discover activities that benefit your mind, body and soul. Bring your family and friends and improve your well-being today. There's something for everyone, making it a perfect destination for all!
The park has 158 acres of man-made freshwater lakes
A scenic boardwalk & walking trails, paved & natural (accessible to people with mobility issues)
You can spot birds like Ibis & Heron & sometimes alligators- be mindful when strolling along!
There are fitness stations around the water
Children's Garden, Community Garden, Fragrance & Succulent Gardens & Rose Garden
Covered picnic areas & playground
Train Museum & a miniature train that offers 15-minute rides
Bike & boat rentals & food concessions
Park volunteers provide assisted tours on a golf cart
❤ What's New at The Park? ❤
Enjoy a peaceful moment before the start of a busy week - Join in on a yoga class at the park on Sundays at 5 p.m. Bring your mat and meet our volunteer instructor. Class is free with paid parking.
Who visited the Park in January?
Marie Hepp and her two grandsons (Levi & Daniel Hendrickson), ages 7 and 5, were visiting Lakes Park to add some rocks they painted for Cooper the Caterpillar! The boys were visiting from Atlanta and were thrilled to have their creations added to Cooper.
Train Operating Hours
Mon-Fri- 10am-2pm
Sat & Sun- 10am-4pm
💚 FARMERS MARKET 💚
Every Wednesday 9am-1pm
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation craft & plant sale is EVERY 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month @ The Lakes Park Farmers Market from 9AM - 1PM.
Even though it was freezing🧊this morning, Jan 8th, 2025, this week’s Farmer’s Market was a huge success!
Kathy Busick and Jane Cole bundled up and along with Robin Brocious sold quite a few plants. Thanks to all who support Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
🍊Enjoy the SW Florida weather with us!🍊
🦅 Lakes Park Bird Patrol Led Nature Walks🐦
Offered by Bird Patrol in conjunction with Lee County Parks and Recreation. This easy walk along clear paths offers an opportunity to see birds in native vegetation with experienced Bird Patrol guides pointing out the many species in Lakes Park, a Lee County birding hot spot and crucial nesting area for many birds.
Bird & Nature Walk at 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 | 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
The Tour is FREE with PAID PARKING | Parking is $1/hour or $5/all day.
GARDEN NEWS
The Lee County Library staff is inviting you & your kids to sing songs, do a craft & listen to stories. Contact Info@LakesPark.org with any questions! Head over to the Children’s Garden on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the Month from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Contact Info@LakesPark.org with any questions you may have!
Jan 8th, 2025- Story Time theme- Shapes
Jan 16th, 2025 -Story Time theme- ABC's
LOOK at all those SMILING faces!
💚Community Garden💚
Greetings gardeners,
We have had a few cool weeks, but our plants are doing well. We have been lucky that there have been no freezes this far south. I am looking forward to some sunny days and warm temperatures. We could use a bit of rain, too. Make sure you water and weed often.
Our last Community Cooperative donation was on January 9th.
Betsy was harvesting produce from the CC beds and a few others. You might have seen her in the News-Press paper. She was all bundled up and picking plants. It was a cold day. She would like to thank beds 1 and 28 for their donations. She gave over 38 pounds of produce to the food bank. That brings our total up to 410 pounds for this season. Just think if all of the beds gave two items from your pantry!
You can email Betsy at wildflowergreen22@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
The Steering committee meets once a month.
If you have any suggestions or concerns, email Connie at communitygarden@lakespark.org
Our lovely garden lady changes each month and
watches over our beds.
💚Fragrance Garden & Succulent Garden💚
Chantal, Andrea and Craig are just a few of our dedicated volunteers who are putting down cardboard and mulching many of the beds in the Fragrance Garden! What a difference it makes…Kudos to the mulching crew and all their hard work
❤🌹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, 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🌼Father's Day💪Memorial Day⛿4th of July🌟Labor Day 👩🔧👩🏫Halloween🍊Thanksgiving🦃Christmas🎄 Birthdays🍰& Anniversaries💍
Your donation will assist in creating beautiful paved paths in selected 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
While you are here, take a look at some of the murals we have and watch for "Art in the Park" projects!
Friendly FYI
Copyright © 2024 Lakes Park, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 61076 Ft. Myers, FL, 33906
239.533.7578
The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
7330 Gladiolus Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 533-7578
Donations
PLEASE MAIL DONATIONS TO:
Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation
P.O. Box 61076
Fort Myers, Fl. 33906-1076
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION oF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Registration #CH31520