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The Mission of the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation is to enhance the beauty and experience of Lakes Park. 


 

Message From The President:

2021 is off to a good start for Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation and we hope you'll be a part of it with us! We are planning a virtual 5K in March and some really interesting cooking and gardening classes throughout the season. You can always catch one of our board members at the Farmers Market for more information on these events along with getting your family or loved one a brick or even a bench dedication. We love to watch the park thrive and talk to the people who share our love for Lakes Park. So please head out to the park soon and if you see one of us there stop and say hello. We love to hear how the park makes your day better!

See you there,

Sarah

Welcome to our new Board Member Vanessa Rogers:

Vanessa Rogers, is the CFO of Starlink Realty & President of Title Operations for Sandbar Title, located in Fort Myers. Before becoming CFO & President of Title in 2018, Vanessa was Sandbar Title's escrow agent, and Starlink Realty's office manager. She was responsible for property closings along with administrative duties for over 200 realtors. She played a key role in both companies, highlighting them into the companies they are today.

Vanessa was born & raised in sunny Southwest Florida. She attended Cape Coral High School. Vanessa holds an Associates Degree in Business Entrepreneurship and Marketing from Rasmussen College of Business. Besides being a total rockstar in the real estate industry, Vanessa is also a wife & mother. In her spare time she loves to be outdoors in her garden, crafting & beach outings. She's a huge fan of Disney and traveling the world, while always looking for a new adventure.

Virtual 5K “FUN” Run/Walk

Our virtual  race is a race that can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. The event will run from Sat March 27 - Sat April 3, 2021You can run, jog, walk on the road, the trail, on a treadmill or on a track. You get to run your own race, at your own pace and time it yourself. For more information or to sign up click here.

Have you checked out the Bicycle Station?

 

Have you ever arrived at Lakes Park with your bicycles ready to take a leisurely ride around the park only to find that your handlebars need adjusting or your tires need some air? 

Well you won’t need to turn around and leave… check out the bicycle fix it station located adjacent to the Community Garden. It has an assortment of tools and a bicycle tire pump you may use for these minor repairs. Enjoy your ride here at Lakes and remember to give pedestrians space and to make an audible sound when passing them.  You can take a break and walk through our wonderful Fragrance Garden or sit on one of the many park benches located throughout the park. 

Join us for two exciting classes in March

“The Secrets of Making Perfect Limoncello and other Liquores”

Taught by Barbara Manzo on Saturday March 6th, 2021

Barbara is a LPEF Board Member and former Lee County Parks and Recreation Director.  Barbera now spends her summers in Sardinia with family and friends where she learned the art of making Limoncello.  

Participants will not only learn how to make a variety of liquores but will also take home copies of the Family recipes and samples of Limoncello.

Sign up on Eventbrite here

“The Secrets of Growing Beautiful Orchids”

Taught by Wes Higgins on Saturday March 20th, 2021

Dr Wesley Higgins is a member of LPEF and world renowned Orchid expert! He is a Professor and lecture around the world and his accomplishments are numerous and varied.  We are fortunate to have him in our Community. 
Participants will learn the basics of growing and caring for Orchids.  How to plant, repot and mount the various varieties of orchids.  Participants will receive handouts and  an Epidendrum to take home.

To sign up click here

Both classes are being held at the Amavida Facility located at:

7650 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33908

Classes begin 1:30pm
Limited to 12 participants so register early!
All participants are required to wear Masks and seats will be socially distanced.

LAKES PARK FARMERS MARKET IN FULL SWING! 

The weekly Farmers Market provided by Local Roots at Lee County’s Lakes Regional Park, 7300 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday continuing through April 27th, 2021. The market will operate in “grab and go” style, practicing safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

LEARN MORE... 

News From the Gardens

The Gardens at Lakes Park are simply spectacular and worth strolling through every day. You will see evidence of all the hard work accomplished by an eager and enthusiastic crew of between 20 and 25 volunteers. 
Click here for more information
IRON RANGER GETS INSTALLED
Here is our newly installed "Iron Ranger" which gives us the ability to collect donations from all of our wonderful supporters 365 days a year. Added to our list of projects will be the beautification of the surrounding area. 
Thanks to a generous grant from Lee County’s Visitor & Convention Bureau, Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation has funds to create a series of  videos promoting Lakes Park. On a sunny Saturday recently, videographers were shooting scenes of all the things individuals and families can do in our favorite park. When this spot starts running it will introduce this “Hidden Piece of Paradise” to so many who’ve never discovered it, both in Lee County and beyond. Look for it on your local channels.

Volunteer 
Right now, our biggest need is having enough help to keep the Botanic Garden watered, trimmed and tidy. Volunteers meet to work their magic in the gardens on Monday and Thursday mornings from 7:00 - 10:00 AM, before the heat of the day sets in. Registered Lee County Volunteers,  go to the end of parking lot 3 and find the path that leads up along the left side of the Community Garden. Keep following until you get to the Rose Garden gazebo - you'll find fellow volunteers at the sheds just beyond. 

Bench Dedication Program  
The bench catalog, pricing, terms and conditions, availability, etc. can be found by visiting our Bench Dedication landing page 

Pave the Park - Buy a Brick! 
Bricks are a very popular way to support the park.   Three locations to choose from! Find out  more by visiting our Pave the Park page. 

Donate through the PayPal Giving Fund 
PayPal has a special program - no one gets charged any credit card merchant fees! Click this link to find out how quick and easy it is to  donate through the PayPal Giving Fund

Interested in the Community Garden? 
We get many requests for a bed in the Community Garden. Whenever a bed becomes available, we hold  an "email lottery" to engage a new Community Garden member.  Get details and put your name on the Community Garden Notifications List - click here to find out more. 

Join the Board of Directors or the Advisory Board 
We're looking to build out our Board of Directors and Advisory Board with community leaders who love Lakes Park and are willing to tap their personal and professional networks as well as their own skills, knowledge, and wisdom to support the Foundation in achieving its mission - Enhancing the Beauty and Experience of Lakes Park.  CONTACT US at Info@LakesPark.org if  you are interested in attending one of our Board meetings to see if this is the right mission for you. 
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Copyright © 2021 Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation, All rights reserved.


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