Popular Lakes Park in Fort Myers on track to reopen Jan. 9

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read
Clouds are reflected in the waters at Lakes Park in Fort Myers on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Clouds are reflected in the waters at Lakes Park in Fort Myers on Thursday, June 10, 2021.

For thousands of people who flock to Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers every year, there is reason to celebrate.

Lee County on Wednesday announced a tentative date for the popular park to reopen.

A press release stated that the 279-acre park will "tentatively" open its gates to the public again on Jan. 9. The park has been used for recovery operations since Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sept. 28. Contractual employees for the Florida Division of Emergency Management and other responders who arrived in Lee County after the Category 4 hurricane to assist in the community’s recovery have been living and working on the property.

Lee County asks that park patrons confirm the reopening details at www.leeparks.org prior to visiting.

Why the park was closedIan's aftermath: Why is Lakes Park in Fort Myers still closed? What we know

Lakes Park, which also has 158-acre freshwater quarry lake, is among the most visited of Lee County Parks & Recreation’s sites. It is regarded by many as the “Central Park” of the county. Lakes Park began as a man-made area where rock was quarried during the 1960s. The park’s water depths vary from a few inches to more than 20 feet. Lee County bought the property in 1978. In 1982, ground was broken and it was developed for recreational use with the official grand opening on April 21, 1984.

The park is a favorite destination for residents, tourists and snowbirds. There are trails for walking, running and cycling. multiple gardens and a weekly farmer's market. There's also an area with various water experiences According to the release, once open, some amenities, such as the water features, will remain closed for repairs.

Lakes Park remains closed more than two months after Hurricane Ian barreled into Southwest Florida. It is closed indefinitely and remains a FEMA staging area.
Lakes Park remains closed more than two months after Hurricane Ian barreled into Southwest Florida. It is closed indefinitely and remains a FEMA staging area.

While residents and visitors await the reopening of Lakes Park, the county encourages them to visit a special GIS-based map that was created post-Ian. The landing page helps people better understand what’s open, what’s partially open and what remains closed. Find it under “Hurricane Ian Parks Progress Map” at www.leeparks.org.

What about the beach parks?

Lee County beach parks remain closed. Debris in the water and buried in the sand at the water's edge creates a safety hazard. The county is working alongside state and federal agencies to clean and remove the debris so that beaches are safe for visitors. Parks & Recreation staff is dedicated to cleaning debris off beaches daily. As more debris washes ashore daily, the process is ongoing.

In addition to visiting www.leeparks.org for information, residents and visitors can also go to the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau site. Visit www.VisitFortMyers.com and click on “What’s Open” for activities, locations and things to do. VCB also has a list of holiday events at the site.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lakes Park in Fort Myers ready to reopen in January