County offering free parking, pool admission to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month
Island facilities included in July 24-25 promotion
To celebrate National Park and Recreation Month, Lee County Parks & Recreation is offering free pool admission and free parking Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25.
“This annual weekend event gives everyone an opportunity to get out and enjoy our facilities at no cost. National Park and Recreation month encourages everyone to reflect on the exponential value park and recreation professionals bring to communities. I encourage all residents to take an opportunity to appreciate the parks, pools, trails and other outdoor spaces in our area,” Lee County Parks & Recreation Director Jesse Lavender said.
For more than 20 years Lee County has recognized National Park and Recreation Month. On June 15, the Lee County Commission voted to approve the resolution dedicating July as National Park and Recreation Month.
“The services that park and recreation professionals provide are vital for our communities — from protecting open space and natural resources to helping fight obesity and providing activities and resources for all people,” Lavender said.
The parks offering free parking include Lakes Park, Manatee Park, Hickey Creek Mitigation Park, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve.
The beach sites offering free parking include Bonita Beach Accesses No. 1 and No. 10, Bonita Beach Park, Bowditch Point Park, Lynn Hall Memorial Park, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve, Bowman’s Beach and Turner Beach.
Free parking is also offered at the Alva, Punta Rassa, Matlacha, Davis, Pine Island Commercial Marina, Lavenders Landing and Imperial River boat ramps.
Free swimming is offered at the Pine Island Community Pool, Lehigh Community Pool, North Fort Myers Community Pool, and San Carlos Community Pool.
The savings are anywhere from $2 to $3 for pool admission, while parking fee savings range from $1 to $5 per day. Depending on the site, individuals can save up to $10 on boat ramp fees during the two-day event, officials reported.
The savings do not include other recreational sites, such as the Town of Fort Myers Beach and city of Sanibel sites, that are owned or maintained by other government entities within Lee County.
Lavender said attendance generally increases at the facilities that offer free admission and parking.
For additional information, please visit www.leeparks.org, email leeparks@leegov.com or call 239-533-7275.