A natural place for plant lovers, the Fragrance Garden section of the Lakes Park Gardens is a place everyone in southwest Florida can enjoy. The Fragrance Garden encompasses 18 acres within the park. It presents opportunities for creative exploration, passionate inspiration, quiet contemplation, and an appreciation for nature. The Fragrance Garden includes such distinct areas as:



• a succulent collection
• heritage croton preserve
• butterfly garden
• heritage rose garden
• water garden
• and a bromeliad garden.

THE COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Community Garden was a welcome addition to the Lakes Park Gardens. It provides a place for locals to learn to grow their own food. Veteran gardeners coach “newbies” about soil, drainage, pest control, maximizing yield and other subjects that will lead to their success. This is a progressive effort to revive the practice of growing and consuming produce close to home. Residents that are here for at least 6 months of the year, between October to May, can rent one of the 4′ x 8′ raised beds for just $75 annually, for the purpose of growing food and flowers. The foundation provides soil and tools. Seedlings are propagated in the Fragrance Garden and offered to gardeners at the beginning of the growing season for a modest price. Volunteers harvest food from several dedicated beds plus excess from the renters every other week during the growing season (October through April) for donation to a local soup kitchen.

THE CHILDREN’S GARDEN

Step into the enchanting Children’s Garden through the grand archway, where the journey of wonder begins. Along the way there are vibrant murals that unveil glimpses of the delights Lakes Park offers, creating perfect backdrops for cherished family photos. To the right is the LCSO Deputy Memorial Garden (https://lcsofallendeputymemorial.sheriffleefl.org/)

Along the path embark on the Lee County Library Book Walk, where literature and nature intertwine. Pause to explore the whimsically crafted musical instruments, shaped like blooming flowers, serene lily pads, and majestic trees, or find solace on the back of a friendly turtle.

Meander past the butterfly garden, where colorful blooms dance in harmony with fluttering wings.

Discover the ABC Garden, a raised, worm-shaped bed bursting with a kaleidoscope of flowers, aromatic herbs, and crisp vegetables. Nearby, Cooper the Caterpillar serves as a gentle guide, illustrating the wondrous journey of a plant's lifecycle.

Then continue to the Fruit Loop, a beloved destination for children, where the allure of the "banana fort" beckons explorers to play and observe the wildlife drawn by the bounty of fruits adorning the landscape.

Now take a moment of reflection at the Hurricane Ian Remembrance and Children’s Engineering Garden, a serene sanctuary honoring resilience and innovation.