The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundations' Mission is to enhance & enrich the beauty and experience of Lakes Park

Message from the President
March 🍀 2025
 

Happy March to our readers.
As promised in last month’s newsletter, we are very excited to present our first online auction this month. Please go to our website, lakespark.org, and put in a bid for our fabulous Train Basket. There are many goodies, including free train rides and tickets for Everblades Hockey. Be on the lookout every month for a new auction item. We have lots of beautiful baskets coming every month.

Many thanks to our sponsors who responded to our request for donations: Pure Florida Eco Tours, the Florida Everblades, the Lakes Park Train Museum, and all our board members for their donations and hard work. We are working hard to make your experience at the Park more enjoyable.

Please check out this newsletter, our website, and social media for information on upcoming events.
It’s perfect weather for a stroll in the gardens, story time with the kids, or the Farmer's Market.
So…Get out and enjoy our beautiful Lakes Park!


Barbara Manzo
President Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation

Barbara Manzo
President LPEF
barbara.manzo@lakespark.org

239-229-0387
🍀

If you would like to donate, click here- https://t.ly/Y9L5m
Find out more here- www.lakespark.org

🍀🚆 Train Operating Hours 🚆🍀
Mon-Fri- 10am-2pm
Sat-Sun & Holidays- 10am-4pm

☘🦅 Lakes Park Bird Patrol Led Nature Walks 🐦☘



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. 

Lakes Regional Park Bird Tour
Lee County, Florida
Feb 1, 2025 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 miles
Checklist Comments: Feb. 1, 2025 Lk Pk Bird Walk. Guided by Marie Di Rosa, Jose Padilla, Gail Campbell from Bird Patrol.

Temp. 65*-70*F. 
Wind 4 MPH WSW. Foggy to Partly Sunny.
35 species

Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) X  Nest
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) X
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) X
American Coot (Fulica americana) X
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) X
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) X
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) X
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) X
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) X
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) X
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) X
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) X
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) X
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) X
Great Egret (Ardea alba) X
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) X  Multiple nests.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) X
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) X
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) X
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) X
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) X
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) X
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) X
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) X
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) X
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) X
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) X
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) X
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) X
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) X
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) X
Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) X
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) X
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S211525792

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!

Having the BEST day at Story Time in Lakes Park!

🍀Greetings gardeners,

       This is a wonderful time of the year to be in the garden. Everything looks green and gorgeous. Tomatoes are ripening, beans and peas are popping out, and veggies are plentiful. Don't forget that this is the dry season and you need to water. Our mound of dirt is being given to Lakes Park. So if you need soil, you should hurry as it will be gone soon.

🍀Keep your beds weeded and pest-free. Don't forget to always take nozzles off hoses after use, lock sheds and gate when leaving, and put trash in the correct garbage bin. The Compost bin is only for plant products cut into 6-inch pieces, the trash bin on the inside of the garden is only for plant products that are larger than 6 inches, and the trash can outside of the garden is for non-plant waste such as paper and plastic.

     We had a tremendous turnout for the Community Cooperative Donation on January 30th. Betsy collected over 195 pounds of produce and non-perishable goods. That brings out donation total to 605 pounds for the season. Betsy would like to thank beds 22,32,66,69,1 and 3 and the Children's Garden. She tries to have donations every three weeks. 

If you can donate non-perishable goods or have produce to share, please email Betsy. She is happy to pick for you if you are not able to do so. Email her your bed number, what you want to be picked, and how much. 

You can email Betsy at wildflowergreen22@gmail.com    
 Thanks so much!

Our lovely garden lady changes each month and
watches over our beds.  

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 Ibises, herons, and 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 also provide assisted tours on a golf cart.