What's New
News is listed chronologically starting with the most recent postings at top. You can also check out our Press Release Archive page to view all Public Service Announcements by release date.
Here’s a round up of what’s new at your Lee County parks, preserves and facilities:
Lee County celebrates 125 years:
Lee County is celebrating its 125th anniversary (Quasquicentennial) on May 13, 2012. In honor of its independence from Monroe County in 1887, Lee County will be offering a variety of special events, programs and promotions throughout the year. Please join us in honoring the past, celebrating the present and exploring the future. Click here for more information.
Lee County paddling trail featured in the Chicago Tribune:
The Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail that meanders through Lee County, Florida’s, coastal waters and inland tributaries was recently featured in the Chicago Tribune. Click here to read the story.
Say 'Cheese,' Fido! - a Parks for Pups photo contest:
Our urban park experts at the Center for City Park Excellence tell us that off-leash dog parks are the fastest growing type of park in the United States. The Trust for Public Land is celebrating pets and their people by barking out a call for dog photos from your local dog park. Through December 24, 2011, send a photo of your favorite four-legged friend enjoying a day at the park and we'll upload it to our Facebook page. The snapshot with the most "likes" will be the winner so make sure to cast your vote!
Lee County Parks & Recreation awarded re-accreditation at final review:
On November 2, 2011 Steve Cox, Kathy Cahill, Dave Harner, Barbara Manzo and Debbie Derums (L. to R.) were recognized at the reception following our department’s final review in front of the thirteen member National CAPRA (Commission for the Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies) Board in Atlanta, Georgia. As anticipated, we received rave reviews and were touted as true leaders in the Accreditation process and Parks and Recreation Profession. When we first received our accreditation 10 years ago we were the 35th agency in the country to do so. As of last night there are now 104 agencies that are nationally accredited. Florida is the leader with 22 agencies accredited!
KUDOS TO ALL OUR STAFF FOR MAKING OUR DEPARTMENT GREAT! Infinite thanks to the team who worked so diligently on the process. The CAPRA Board was so impressed that we have a succession plan for CAPRA with Steve and Kathy present to take over the process! Many thanks to our sponsors Alison, Jeff and Tam! The visitation team was very impressed, as was the CAPRA Board, that we have such support for the process. Our Accreditation better promotes Lee County as a destination of choice. And of course, without the support of Administration and our Commissioners we would not be the great department that we are! Thank you to everyone for your help and support without which this would not be possible!
Winners of the 2011 Florida State League Sports Turf Crew Awards announced:
The Fort Myers Miracle are the winners of the Municipality Award, which is given to the best City or County operated Sports Turf Crew in the League. The Miracle, with Sports Turf Manager Keith Blasingim has received sixteen Sports Turf Awards since 1990. This is the thirteenth time they have won the Municipality Award. Click HERE for more information.
Lee County Parks & Recreation YouTube Video Contest Winners announced:
We have our 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in our first Parks & Rec video contest! A tribute to the Fort Myers Miracle, a scenic nature tour of Lakes Regional Park and a North Fort Myers hike were among the featured videos that garnered awards in Lee County Parks & Recreation’s first YouTube video contest. The contest for amateur videographers resulted in three winners: Christine Lisiecki of Cape Coral, Robert Tillotson of Cape Coral and Lindy Smith of North Fort Myers. The voting was so close that we decided the trio would each received a one-year parking sticker valid at Lee County Parks & Recreation’s beaches, boat ramps and regional parks. Follow this link to watch the videos.
Lee County Parks & Recreation staffer featured in sports exclusive:
John Long, Lee County Parks & Recreation employee and one of North Fort Myers High School's former best stars was recently featured in the News-Press. Few if any Southwest Florida schools can match the roll call of athletic legends at North Fort Myers High. Deion Sanders. Mike Greenwell. Jevon Kearse. And, John Long!
Lee County Parks & Recreation featured in national trades magazine:
Lee County Parks & Recreation was featured in "Park & Rec Trades" magazine for celebrating 10 years of accreditation. Click HERE to read article.
Lee County Parks & Recreation Video Contest:
Lee County Parks & Recreation is kicking off National Park and Recreation Month with an exciting new Video Contest. Highlight the benefits of Lee County Parks & Recreation through our Video Contest. All entries are due on or before Aug. 1, 2011. Winner will be announced on Aug. 12. E-mail leeparks@leegov.com for questions.
Lee County Parks & Recreation is now on YouTube:
Lee County Parks & Recreation has started their own YouTube channel where you can watch videos to find out what the department has to offer. You can see everything from what it’s like to paddle the Great Calusa Blueway to what you can expect from the Caloosahatchee Regional Park Teen Summer Camp. Click HERE to visit our YouTube channel.
Fox 4 news special filmed at Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve:
A heartfelt story about childhood obesity and a family who overcame it was filmed at Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve, one of Lee County's Conservation 20/20 preserves. This story was also featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and has an important message for parents and kids alike about proper nutrition and excercise.
Florida Weekly lists Lakes Park as the Best Park for Picnicking:
Looking for a great place to picnic, excercise or just enjoy the outdoors? Florida Weekly just named Lakes Regional Park the best place to picnic. Click HERE to read the article.
Lee County Parks & Recreation passes re-accreditation review:
Lee County Parks & Recreation became the 35th agency in the nation to receive National Accreditation in 2001. This program requires us to go through a self assessment of our policies and procedures throughout our operation and successfully meet 144 national standards in 10 major categories. We were re-accredited in 2006 and have just passed our 10th year re-accreditation review on April 28, 2011. The Review Team arrived on Monday April 25th. After three days of work and tours they presented our accreditation review. They spoke about each of the 10 categories and each one was nothing but praise. We passed 100% of the 144 Standards of Excellence! Many times they commented on the incredible fellowship among staff and they were overwhelmed by our professionalism, years of service and how even during these tough economic times we still make it happen. They said the efficiency of our files and the entire self review process was the best they had ever seen. They were overwhelmed by our facilities, their cleanliness and excellent maintenance.
Who: The Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) oversees a systematic evaluation of the agency’s management and operation practices in 10 major categories of 144 best-practice standards.
What: Accreditation is a quality assurance and quality improvement process demonstrating an agency’s commitment to its employees, volunteers, patrons and community. Fewer than 100 agencies internationally and throughout the United States have successfully completed the accreditation process.
When: The re-accreditation process for Lee County Parks & Recreation began with submittal of the formal application and self-assessment. The next critical juncture in the process was the site visitation from the National Accreditation Team on April 26, 27 and 28.
Where: The accreditation team visited our facilities and programs to get a firsthand look at what Lee County Parks & Recreation has to offer.
Why: Accreditation has two fundamental purposes: to assure quality and to assure improvement. Because we believe this is critical, everyone throughout Parks & Recreation needs to be aware of, informed about and advocate for this effort.
We are A CREDIT to the community!
Lee County Parks Featured in New Book:
Award winning author and Sanibel Island resident, Charles Sobczak, has just published a new book called "The Living Gulf Coast." This exciting new Nature Guide is the companion book to "Living Sanibel." The book contains more than 700 full-color photographs and graphics detailing the flora and fauna of Southwest Florida along with a detail description of where you can go to discover this wealth of wildlife at different parks, preserves and eco-destinations. You can pick-up a copy at one of the following locations: Edison/Ford Estates Gift Shop, Six Mile Cypress Slough Bookstore, Calusa Nature Center Gift Shop, The Airport Paradies Bookstores, The Naples Barnes & Noble Bookstore, The Book Nook at Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel Island Bookshop, MacIntosh Bookstore, The J.N. "Ding" Darling Bookstore and One For the Books in Cape Coral. For more information on this and other books by Charles Sobczak click HERE.
New Beach Park:
Boaters and beach-lovers now have another pristine beach for picnicking and anchoring off in the Gulf, thanks to Lee County Parks & Recreation. The Crescent Beach Family Park.
Lee County and Town of Fort Myers Beach offcials still are planning the future project on Estero Island’s north end near the base of the Matanzas Pass Bridge. The county could spend about $150,000 turning about three acres of Gulf-front property into a public park with benches, landscaping and perhaps a volleyball court. The county purchased the property in 2010 for $5.6 million in a foreclosure sale.
“This beach park will be a boon for anyone who enjoys the Gulf and relaxing or recreating in a park,” said Barbara Manzo, Lee County Parks & Recreation director.
Ranger of the Year:
Congratulations to Lee County Park Ranger Mike Hammond. He was awarded the 2011 Park Ranger Training Institute Ranger of the Year. Lee County thanks you for the excellent service you provide to our park visitors and our LCPR staff. We applaud your individual commitment to continuous improvement which allows the Lee County Ranger Unit to shine. You truly deserve this award.
Parking Sticker Changes:
NOTICE - Starting December 1st, 2010 only current parking stickers purchased before this date will be valid at Bonita Beach Park.
Start! Walking Paths:
Several of Lee County Parks & Recreation facilities offer Start! Walking Paths in conjunction with the American Heart Association's Start! Walking Program. Click HERE for more details.
