Join a Ride of Silence event on May 15th

May has arrived and time to firm up your plans to join one of the two local Ride of Silence events (Cape Coral and Sanibel) on Wed. evening May 15th to honor fallen cyclists and promote road safety. Note that the annual Caloosa Rider-sponsored ride is in Cape Coral this year, not Fort Myers.

What began in 2003 in Dallas as a spontaneous outpouring of grief for a friend and fellow rider, struck and killed by the mirror of a passing vehicle, has rolled across the globe to become an international annual event memorializing and honoring cyclists who have been injured and killed while riding.

The Ride of Silence is a worldwide event, with almost all USA States participating, along with 22 other countries. The many hundreds of events share the same goals: "To honor fallen cyclists, to promote road safety, and to make a difference."

Bike safety is not a fleeting issue, especially here in Florida which ranks as the very worst in the nation for cyclist safety, with the highest fatality rate for ten years in a row. In 2018, 3 cyclists were killed in Lee County crashes, while 4 cyclists have been killed in 2019 in just the first 4 months. In 2017, 4 cyclists were killed, while 2016 set a record, with 9 fatalities.

Past CRBC Ride of Silence in Fort Myers

 The Ride of Silence, in memorializing riders injured and killed, seeks to draw motorist's attention to cyclist's legal rights to full use of the roadways, to inform motorists that we are here, to watch for us--as if our lives depended on it. Please come out to show your support and send the message that we deserve our right to operate on our own roads. We are not just bike riders, but friends and neighbors and we must all Share the Road.

Locally there are TWO Rides of Silence planned—Cape Coral and Sanibel.

1. The Ride and Walk of Silence 2019 (in Cape Coral)Co-hosted by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club and Streets Alive of Southwest Florida

 

Come join the local Ride and Walk of Silence, co-hosted by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club and Streets Alive of Southwest Florida with a City of Cape Coral Police Department escort, through downtown Cape Coral on May 15, 2019 at 7 p.m. The Ride of Silence will depart from the SWFL Military Museum, 4820 Leonard Street, Cape Coral, Florida on a 7-mile slow ride for adults and youth alike with a speed no greater than 12 miles per hour.

The Ride of Silence, in its 17th year throughout the country, is important here in SW Florida. From 2012-2017 there have been over 2655 injuries and 144 deaths related to cyclists and pedestrians on Lee County roadways. Link to map and stats: https://arcg.is/1qTKD0. Recent local tragedies in which a cyclist and a pedestrian were killed on March 25th and April 8th point to the need for the community to come together and participate in this Ride of Silence.

Simultaneously the inaugural Walk of Silence, in partnership with Streets Alive of SW Florida, will take place from the same location to bring further awareness to the lack of safe designs in general within SW Florida for walkers, handicapped including those in wheelchairs, skaters and bicyclists. This inaugural walk specially honors 2 children from our community who have lost their lives on our roads in 2019, Alana Marie Tamplin and Layla Aiken. Streets Alive of SWFL will have a select amount of reflective wristbands and lights for walkers in need. Walkers are encouraged to wear white or neon color shirts, bring a flashlight if possible and wear comfortable/walking shoes. The walk will be 1 mile at a slow pace.

A brief ceremony remembering family and loved-ones who lost their lives while walking or cycling will be held starting at 6:45 p.m., followed by ride protocol and safety instructions, before riders depart promptly at 7:00 p.m. Cyclists are asked to wear a helmet and have front and rear lights on their bike.

Come join us on this important Ride and Walk of Silence on May 15, 2019 through the City of Cape Coral which is working diligently to make our Bicycle Friendly Community safer. 

 For more information, contact the ride organizer, Megan, at mfasig@embarqmail.com.

 2. Sanibel Ride of Silence
 Hosted by the Sanibel Bicycle Club in partnership with Matzaluna Restaurant and Billy's Bikes



Gathering at Matzaluna's for past Sanibel Ride of Silence

The Sanibel Bicycle Club has organized an annual Ride of Silence since 2009. This year’s ride is hosted by the Club, Billy’s Bikes, and Matzaluna Restaurant. Riders are encouraged to arrive for waiver signing and equipment check by 6:45 p.m. at Matzaluna Restaurant (1200 Periwinkle Way).

At 7:00 p.m. promptly the ride will leave Matzaluna's, down Periwinkle Way to the Sanibel Causeway. The ride will cross over the first 2 bridges of the causeway, do the turnaround under the main span, and return to Matzaluna (approximately 7 miles round trip).

Helmets required for all riders and front and tail lights are required if you plan to ride your bike home after dinner.

· Matzaluna will provide discounted food and drink for all riders.

· For further details, contact Salli Kirkland (Billy’s Bikes): salli@sanibelbike.com.

Transportation Summit Friday Sept. 30 in Cape Coral

Photo: the news-press

Streets Alive SWFL and Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association are partnering to host a Transportation Summit, featuring renowned national and international experts interacting with planners, engineers and government and business leaders and all members of the public to encourage best practices in creating walkable, bikeable, and transit supported, livable communities – communities offering vibrant, healthy lifestyles for all ages.

“This summit is bringing together for the first time the brain-power of the leading experts on integrating transportation and community design to help us create the best here in SWFL” said Ann Pierce, Education Chair for Streets Alive SWFL.  “The public and our local authorities will have this opportunity to learn from the best, get questions answered and concerns addressed,” she added.

Keynote speakers for the Transportation Summit include:

• Florida Department of Transportation Division 1 Secretary Billy Hattaway P.E.
• Livable Transportation Engineer for the Toole Design Group, Ian Lockwood P.E.
• Director of Innovation & Inspiration for Blue Zones, Dan Burden
• International President of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Paula Benway P.E.

The Summit’s Conference on Friday morning, September 30, from 8:00 – noon at the Cape Coral Yacht Club is open to the public and will offer an informative program by this team of national experts who will be joined by local region speakers to give unique presentations on the new patterns in community design, transportation and economic planning which result in highly desirable communities where one can thrive at any age.

They will also address funding and regulatory changes on the horizon which will impact our region.

Registration is $42, which includes breakfast and accessed through http://www.rpcra.org/transportation-summit          
    
Local elected and appointed officials, business leaders, realtors, engineering, planning and landscape architect professionals, health community professionals, developers and the public are all invited to attend this innovative Transportation Summit.


Go to www.rpcra.org/transportation-summit to register.

Transportation summit coming to Cape Coral

Photo: the news-press

A new event will share ideas on how to create safe and accessible road transportation systems that enhance a community's well-being.

Streets Alive SWFL and the Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association are hosting a two-day Transportation Summit featuring national and international experts, area planners, engineers and government leaders.

Organizers say it will bring together the experts on integrating transportation and community design for the benefit of walkers, bicycle riders, public transit users and motorists.

"It’s an opportunity to learn from the best, get questions answered and concerns addressed,” said Ann Pierce, education chairwoman for Streets Alive SWFL.

The first conference day will be held in Bonita Springs, and offers continuing education units for certain professional participants. It’s already sold-out.

The public is invited, however, to attend the second day, in Cape Coral.

That’s 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 30, at the Cape Coral Yacht Club Ballroom, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral.

Admission is $42, and includes breakfast.
Go to www.rpcra.org/transportation-summit to register.

The keynote speakers will be: Billy Hattaway, secretary, District 1, Florida Department of Transportation; Ian Lockwood, livable transportation engineer for the Toole Design Group; Dan Burden, Blue Zones director of innovation and inspiration; and Paula Benway, international president of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

More in the News-press article.

Help BikeWalkLee receive free radio spots--Participate in WGCU's "Your Community" radio pledge drive

Want to help BikeWalkLee promote bike/ped safety? encourage more residents to bike and walk? Participate in WGCU's "Your Community" pledge drive and select "Streets Alive of Lee County, Inc. and BikeWalkLee" as your organization to receive free radio spots. You can go online NOW to participate, or better yet, call 1-800-533-9428 during BWL's 4-5 p.m. on Monday Oct. 19th WGCU pledge hour. Help spread the word to your colleagues, family, and friends!

When organizations work together through teamwork and collaboration, exceptional things happen.  This is one of the reasons Streets Alive of Lee County, Inc. and BikeWalkLee, along with 60 other nonprofit friends in the region have partnered with WGCU Public Media for their October Community Campaign Radio Pledge Drive.   Last year we participated in this pledge drive, and loved the opportunity to talk on air about our mission and local efforts to make our communities more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.  You may have also heard some of our radio spots promoting BikeWalkLee's complete streets mission.  This year, WGCU has made it even easier for you to help us receive free radio spots!

If you’re unfamiliar, a couple times a year WGCU turns to the community to raise the necessary funds to keep public radio programming on the air.  These “pledge drives” are critical to WGCU’s operations and thousands of people from our region donate money.

Cindy Banyai at Royal Palm Classic BWL booth

Here’s the fun part! On Monday Oct. 19th from 4 p.m.  until 5 p.m.  BikeWalkLee's Dr. Cindy Banyai will be live on air on WGCU FM, raising funds for Southwest Florida’s award-winning public radio station.  In return, WGCU has offered us free radio promos that we can use to promote our events and our mission throughout the next year. 

You can help us receive these free radio spots!

Just call in (1-800-533-9428) anytime during the pledge campaign (October 17-23) and make a pledge of any dollar amount. Once we’ve raised $1000 for WGCU, Streets Alive, Inc. and BikeWalkLee will receive 28 radio spots!  The more we raise, the more spots we earn! Your gift will support our local treasure, WGCU Public Radio, and at the same time provide us with valuable marketing opportunities that we might otherwise not be able to afford. 

WGCU-FM can be found at 90.1 on the FM Dial (91.7 FM on Marco Island), is streamed live on WGCU.org, or can be accessed through the WGCU mobile app.  You can make your pledge of support by calling 1-800-533-9428 or by pledging online at WGCU.org.  Just make sure that you select "Streets Alive Lee County, Inc. and BikeWalkLee" as the nonprofit you want to support with free radio promos on the scroll down menu labeled "Click for the Non-profit List" (it's in alphabetical order and we're 4th from the last) . 

Tune in, make a pledge, and we'd love to thank you live on the air.  Tied up on Oct. 19th? or just can't wait to participate?  Click here to make an online pledge.  Just scroll down the "non-profit list" and Check the box: "Streets Alive Lee County, Inc. and BikeWalkLee".  Thank you!

 Streets Alive Lee County, Inc. and BikeWalkLee are honored to partner with the WGCU "Your Community" Pledge Drive.

Moser Column: Streets Alive! is coming to your community

Dan Moser

Read Moser's column to learn about plans for next year's Streets Alive! event, and catch up on the upcoming events.
 
Dan Moser's Outdoors Column in Florida Weekly
Jan. 7, 2015
Last November’s second undertaking of Streets Alive!, our local version of an open streets event that’s also known as a Cyclovia, was even more successful than the inaugural one a year earlier. Surveys conducted in person and online confirm many of the benefits that had been anticipated. Individual participants, local businesses and the larger community had much to like.

Attendees generally engaged in at least two activities being offered with a significant number experiencing five or more. Of the healthy fruit and vegetables that were available as free samples or for purchase, more than half tried them. Survey comments indicate many plan to engage in an activity that was tried or regularly consume a food sampled. And, as hoped for, having had fun was cited by the vast majority.

Merchants who were on the route or very nearby had folks stop in who likely would not have done so, especially on an early Sunday afternoon. Even better news: Survey results indicate almost 75 percent discovered a business that had been unfamiliar to them and over 95 percent planned to return there. Traditional advertising doesn’t have this success rate.

Mayor Randy Henderson kicks off Streets Alive! in the Fort Myers River District.

From a community perspective, Streets Alive! provided the opportunity for residents and visitors to experience a sense of place by connecting with others in the public space that is usually reserved for motor vehicles traveling along with interaction limited to traffic maneuvers and those outside vehicles are truly second class users. Even though it was only for a short time, taking back the streets — streets originally intended for socialization and commerce along with travel — is vital to creating a community that is healthy and desirable. Ultimately, that’s the purpose of Streets Alive!

The location and date of the next Streets Alive! has yet to be determined. Along with Fort Myers, which was the site of the first two, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Lehigh Acres are other prospects. But wherever the next one happens, it’ll take a lot of support, both in terms of peoplepower and financial resources. Local governments, businesses, and residents have to step-up. The long-term vision is for each community to host Streets Alive! on a routine basis. Visit streetsalivelee.org to learn more.

Upcoming events
This is a reminder than the next few months offer lots of opportunities to run, walk and cycle. Here’s a partial rundown:

• River Roots & Ruts Half-Marathon & 5K trail runs (rrrtrail.com) take place this Sunday, Jan. 11, at Caloosahatchee Regional Park. More than half of the 13.1 -mile run is on very challenging single-track bike trails. The 5K sticks to hiking trails on the river side of this beautiful park.

• Tour de Cape (tourdecape.net) happens a couple of weekend later, with the 5K run and walk on Saturday, Jan. 17, and bike rides on Sunday, Jan. 18. The rides include distances of 15, 30, 60 and 100 miles. All events stage at Cape Harbor.

• Calusa Bug Chase 5K (ftmyerstrackclub.com) is as interesting a run or walk as the name itself and takes place on Saturday, Jan. 31. Anyone who’s visited the Calusa Nature Center will appreciate the name. Others who are new to the center will quickly understand it.
• 
  
•  Run to the Arts 5K (runtothearts.com), a first-year event that kicks off the final day of ArtFest in the downtown Fort Myers River District, will run on Sunday morning, Feb. 8. Considering the quality of the larger three-day ArtFest event, one can expect the 5K to be top-notch as well. To ensure that happens, consider volunteering if you’re unable to otherwise participate.

• Edison Fest 5K (ftmyerstrackclub.com) is our area’s premier 5K that attracts world-class runners due to it being a flat and fast course. There have been two world records and one national record set at this certified course over the years. It precedes the Grand Parade on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 21.

•  Hooters Half-Marathon (hootershalfmarathon.com), a local classic that turns into a party that only an organization like Hooters can be expected to put on, happens on Sunday, March 1. In order to maintain the quality an event of this distance and complexity mandates, many volunteers are required, all of whom are invited to the post-race festivities.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and pathways.

— Dan Moser is a long- time bicycle/ pedestrian advocate and traffic safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com or 334- 6417.

Moser Column: McGregor Boulevard may become bike-friendly yet

This week's Moser column updates readers on  positive developments on McGregor Blvd. since his last column, and reports on the successful Streets Alive event. 

Florida Weekly, Outdoors Section, Nov. 12, 2014

Dan Moser

There’s potentially good news for those who’d like to travel on McGregor Boulevard by bicycle (the road, not the sidewalk): The suggestions put forth in this column and at public meetings to add sharrows on this historic public roadway’s two-lane sections and a reconfiguring of the four-lane segment to include bike lanes are being considered.

The city of Fort Myers indicated it would have a report completed on the segment from downtown to Colonial Boulevard in six months and the Florida Department of Transportation expressed interest in the ideas on its segments as well (Colonial Boulevard to Iona Road). Ideally, the city and FDOT will work together to maximize resources and potentially create a plan with as much continuity as there can be for a roadway having a number of different configurations. If Lee County DOT would take a hard look at how its segments could be similarly improved (Gladiolus Drive to the end of Summerlin Road) and the last stretch from near Shell Point Boulevard to the Sanibel Causeway) and work with the other two entities, the entire roadway could live up to its reputation as one the county’s signature public assets.

Getting ready for kick-off parade at 2014 Streets Alive!

Perhaps even better news is that by agreeing to formally consider the recommendations put forth, FDOT is, in me my opinion, demonstrating its commitment to reducing bike/ped crashes and to adequately accommodate non-motorists in its public rights of way. In fact, FDOT recently adopted a Complete Streets policy agency-wide, yet another affirmation of the positive direction the department has been heading since Billy Hattaway has come on board and put together a team that has the monumental task of improving bike/ped safety throughout Florida as its number-one priority. Indeed, changing the culture of an agency that has historically been primarily concerned with moving motor vehicles as efficiently as possible to one that will instead focus on providing safe mobility options to all the people it serves is perhaps an even more daunting undertaking. A number of reforms and significant changes in policies and procedures have already taken place since FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad hired Mr. Hattaway to be both District One secretary and take on statewide leadership in reducing bike/ped crashes, injuries and fatalities. For many of us who walk, run and bike on our roads, it’s sometimes difficult to see any real progress being made. But, from my perspective, FDOT’s commitment appears sincere and all the right people are currently in place to see it through. FDOT’s Complete Streets policy can be found at BikeWalkLee’s Sept. 20 blog post at bikewalkleeblogspot.com.

Streets Alive! update

Just a few days prior to the second undertaking of Streets Alive! organizers and others had the opportunity to learn about Cyclovias’ history and worldwide effects from one of the key people involved with them from the start. Gil Penalosa was the keynote presenter at Florida Public Transit Association annual conference luncheon in Naples where he tied together all the aspects of a vibrant, livable community with events like Streets Alive! being part of many of the world’s most thriving places. Mr Penalosa hails from Bogota, Colombia, arguably the birthplace of Cyclovias. Hearing from one of the pioneers and seeing his outstanding presentation with all the benefits quantified was very energizing for all in attendance but especially for anyone about to stage an Open Streets event in their community.

That being said, Street’s Alive! was even more successful than the first go around a year earlier. Although the morning started out a bit cool, the sunlit sky warmed things to a perfect temperature for taking part in the many activities offered that day. Much to organizers’ pleasant surprise, even with Taste of Lee County having taken place in the same place the day before and Taste of the Town happening at JetBlue Park that same day, the healthy food vendors and local source producers were extremely popular. Hopefully, local restaurants that were part of the route did as well. The kick-off parade was another hit, with many early attendees joining in the fun. Throughout the day there was a steady flow of people stopping by BikeWalkLee’s interactive display where they could provide input to volunteers as well as representatives from a number of transportation agencies. Elected officials also mingled with visitors, listening to their ideas and making suggestions as to how they might become reality.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and pathways.

— Dan Moser is a long- time bicycle/ pedestrian advocate and traffic safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com or 334- 6417.

Bicycle and pedestrian safety highlights Streets Alive!

Thanks to everyone who participated in yesterday's Streets Alive event in downtown Fort Myers.  A special thanks to everyone who visited the BikeWalkLee booth and to our many volunteers.  Enjoy our photos, read News-Press' story and see their photo album, too. (photos below by Darla Letourneau)

 Click here to see BikeWalkLee's Facebook Page photo album from Streets Alive!

Click here to see News-Press photo gallery.

kick-off parade with Mayor Henderson and Councilman Banks

News-Press Nov. 3, 2014

MichaelBraun, mbraun@news-press.com

Bicycles shared space with pedestrians, children and leashed animals along a maze of closed downtown Fort Myers roads Sunday as the second annual Streets Alive! spread a gospel of staying safe and healthy.

 

Jenn Hagen with daughter and friend

Brisk temperatures and gusting winds combined with blue, sunny skies to make the morning and afternoon event pleasant. The transfer of the Taste of The Town to Jet Blue Park opened the way last year for Streets Alive!

"It's a very new concept," said event-planning Chairwoman Kate Gooderham. "It is taking a while for people to get it."

Originally the event was called "Ciclovia," a Spanish word meaning cycle paths and referring to "open streets."

 

Participant shares idea on "Pop-up City Hall"

Gooderham said the Fort Myers event was patterned from this and envisioned giving roadways back to people who like to move around without benefit of motors and engines.

"People are wanting to not be so isolated," she said. "A lot of what we do is drudgery, and a lot of diving isn't really fun."

Gooderham said there is a trend nationally for people looking for things to do. "This provides that opportunity," she said. "This mixes everybody together."

 

Advocates and government officials hatch some plans

Streets Alive! cut a swath through the heart of downtown, closing off streets to motorized traffic and allowing bikes, wagons and pedestrians and dogs on a leash and a while host of other modes of non-motorized travel. There were 10 areas, called villages, that focused on aspects including health, dance, track, food, tennis, Lee County parks and more.

"We spread the booths out. That was intentional," Gooderham said. That made it look like there were fewer people there than there actually was. A steady stream of bikes and foot-traffic passed by the Second Street headquarters and down Hendry Street to the yacht basin area, crossing over closed portions of Second, First, Bay and Edwards Drive in the process.

 

Staff from Cape Coral, Lee MPO, and LeeDOT responded to questions

"I think this is really super they closed the streets down," said David Arle, sitting along Hendry with his Bassett hound Tellula. "It is a perfect day for it.

Darla Letourneau with BikeWalkLee said the event was nice but would like to see more people take part.

"It a happy event," she said "The interaction with people is heartwarming."

A bulletin board and special map area at BikeWalkLee's booth collected information from area residents on what can be done to help making walking and biking safer in Lee County.

 

Ashley explains "string map" to reporter Mike Braun

"We have a nice path system, but you have to go across a lot of dangerous intersections," Letourneau said.

Ashley Skalecki, an FGCU grad student, was helping Cindy Banyai, an FGCU adjunct professor specializing in research and evaluation, take whatever data the board and map generates and then turn that into a report.

"This is telling us where people want to go," Banyai said.

Griffin and Wanida Stoutenburg of Fort Myers pointed out several routes they wished would have a bonafied bike trail.

"I'd take a bike all the way to Fort Myers Beach, Griffin Stoutenberg said. "I wouldn't go now, it's too dangerous."

 

The whole family gets in the act of writing on Pop-up City Hall

The Stoutenbergs said they ride often, mainly keeping to the roads along the Caloosahatchee River. "There are a lot of small roads," he said. "It's pretty nice."

The event was sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation and closed city streets to traffic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fort Myers joined similar events in Orlando and Tampa.

"These events promote bicycle/pedestrian safety in a way that's fun for everyone. I want to see Florida reduce our rates of injuries and fatalities among bicyclists and pedestrians. It's about changing behaviors, and 'streets alive' really says it well," said FDOT Billy Secretary Hattaway.

 

FDOT's booth

Florida has among the highest rates of bicycle and pedestrian fatalities in the U.S.

Learning to bike at Safety Rodeo

LeeTran bus to try out

Participants shared their ideas of where they'd like to go by transit

Lee Parks: Streets Alive in downtown Fort Myers

Thanks to Lee County Parks and Rec for featuring Streets Alive in their News-Press column today.  Come join the parade to kick off the event at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2nd. 

 

 News-Press, Oct. 30, 2014

 

Mayor Henderson leads last year's parade (News-Press photo)

• What's happening: Move…bike, walk and dance through the streets of downtown Fort Myers River District. Join in on the activities and move, for a healthy community. It's a great day for a family outing and all activities are free.

• Where: Downtown Fort Myers, free parking in lots and garages. Portions of Hendry St., Main St., First St., Bay St. and Edwards Drive will be closed to motor vehicles.
• When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Cost: Free

• What to expect: Streets Alive is an open streets event — offering fun, free physical activity in a safe open streets environment created by closing streets to motor vehicles. Dozens of activities will be led by professionals in addition to the length of the closed streets being open to walkers, bicyclists, skaters, runners, skate boarders, etc. Some of the activities include Zumba, jump rope, yoga, dance, and disc golf. Delicious and nutritious food and drinks will be sold by local vendors on the streets as well as inside downtown's many fine restaurants. This is a family event, so all ages are encouraged to join in on the fun!

• History: Streets Alive was created to incorporate fun, fitness and food to promote healthier lifestyles by temporarily closing streets to motor vehicles and opening them for people to have fun and get active. This is the second annual Streets Alive event for Lee County.
• Info: streetsalivelee.org

Tips / Notes
• Bring your own water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Wear weather-appropriate stretch or loose fitting clothing that will allow you to move and comfortable shoes.
• Bring your bike, roller blades, skateboard, scooter or anything you enjoy using in outdoor play.
• Kids (and adults) encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.
• There will be activities offered for people with limited mobility, physical disabilities and those confined to a wheelchair.
• First aid assistance will be located at event headquarters — Lee County Administration East Building at Second and Hendry Streets.

• Driving directions: From U.S. 41, turn right onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn left onto Monroe St. and find parking at any lot or parking garage.


• About us: Lee County Parks & Recreation has over 230 positions, a $28 million budget and more than 31,500 acres of parks, preserves, facilities and other sites. The department oversees four recreation centers, 10 community centers, community parks, Conservation 20/20 lands, greenways, the Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, four year-round pools, seven boat ramps, sports complexes including the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins spring training facilities, dog-friendly facilities and pristine Gulf-of-Mexico beach parks.
• Contact us at 533-7275 or leeparks@leegov.com.