Scenes from Lakes Park, June 2019

Published on June 27, 2019 by Erin White

Scenes from Lakes Park, June 2019

Here are some recent scenes from Lakes Park.

Fort Myers Beach pier featured along Lakes Park’s miniature train tracks

Scenes from the Train: A scale model of the Fort Myers Beach pier has been installed along the train tracks at Lakes Park. This miniature joins already-installed models of various historic buildings from around Southwest Florida. The train ride is currently closed for the summer, as construction crews are working on a new boarding area for the attraction. You’ll be able to see the new addition once the ride is open again in the fall.

Scale model of the Fort Myers Beach pier, installed as part of the model village along the train tracks at Lakes Park

What’s Up in the Community Garden

Scenes from the Community Garden: A number of our Community Garden members are year-round residents. Great pride is taken in keeping the Community Garden tidy, pretty, and producing even during the summer months when many of those who work the beds have flown north for the summer. Those who remain deserve a medal, or at least an ice cream sandwich, for their dedication in the sweltering Florida heat. Here are some recent scenes from our Community Garden.

Our Community Garden scarecrow - always seen in seasonally-appropriate attire! — Our Community Garden scarecrow – always seen in seasonally-appropriate attire!

Amazing flowers stand tall alongside the garden shed

Sunflower heads can grow as big as dinner plates - or bigger! — Sunflower heads can grow as big as dinner plates – or bigger!

Roses can be incredibly difficult to grow in Florida, but this gardener sees to have gotten the hang of it. Love that color!

The sunflowers are about to take over the planet... — The sunflowers are about to take over the planet…

Random photo of Kathy Busick, who was recently trained to drive utility carts in the gardens — Random photo of Kathy Busick, who was recently trained to drive utility carts in the gardens. This is handy when it comes to “haulin’ and installin'” on work days!

Aerial video from the Lee County’s “Team Tourism” Travel Rally

Scenes from the Travel Rally: Last month’s Travel Rally, held in Lakes Park each year around this time, was a fun event. Local tourism businesses demonstrated their goods and services and competed in games for prizes. Park visitors enjoyed free BBQ and soft drinks, and got inspiration from attractions in the big tent to combat cries of, “But Mom, there’s NOTHING TO DO!”. Check out this STUNNING aerial footage of Lakes Park, taken as the Travel Rally got under way!

Travel Rally Day 2019 Aerial WIDE SHOT from Ken Sneeden on Vimeo.

Sashimi, anyone?

Scenes from Wildlife: Parks & Rec Sr. Supervisor Joe DeBacker encountered this osprey late last month. “Osprey having lunch along pathway by shelter B-3,” Joe said. “He didn’t even flinch when I stopped to take these pictures.”

Osprey examines his catch, perched on a rock near one of the pavilions — Osprey examines his catch, perched on a rock near one of the pavilions

Osprey in Lakes Park sits on a rock with his catch. — Osprey in Lakes Park sits on a rock with his catch.

FUN FACTS: The osprey feeds primarily on fish, but will also catch and eat eels, snakes, or frogs. Their success rate in catching a fish is one out of four dives! (US Fish & Wildlife)

Plant Donations to the Botanic Garden

Kathy Busick and Sue Moore, intrepid gardeners at Lakes Park — Kathy Busick and Sue Moore, intrepid gardeners at Lakes Park

Scenes from the Botanic Garden: Everyone’s favorite gardener Sue Moore recently tidied up her garden at home and donated some plants to the Lakes Park Botanic Garden. Foundation Secretary and garden manager Kathy Busick, accompanied by Master Gardener Paula Novander, assisted with the uprooting, transport, and re-planting tasks. Judging from these photos, it looks like fun might have been had, too!

Sue Moore and Paula Novander work together on a transplant project — Sue Moore and Paula Novander work together on a transplant project

DO YOU HAVE SCENES FROM THE PARK that you would like to share? There are a couple of ways to do that:

EMAIL your photos to INFO@LakesPark.org
INSTAGRAM – follow and tag us! @LakesPark
FACEBOOK – follow and tag us! @LakesParkEnrichmentFoundation