FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alise Flanjack, Lee
County Parks & Recreation
(941) 461-7451
LAKES PARK SWIMMING AREA TO BE CLOSED FOR REST OF SEASON
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 21, 2001) – The swimming beach at Lakes Regional Park will be closed for the rest of the season due to high water levels and the unpredictability of rain runoff causing elevated bacteria counts.
The beach normally remains open through the Labor Day weekend and then on weekends through mid-October. It opens each year around Memorial Day weekend.
However, the swimming area has been closed since late July due to a combination of inclement weather causing high water covering the beach and tests showing elevated bacteria levels. In addition, runoff from recent rains caused debris such as pine needles, cones, berries and grass to collect at the bottom of the swimming area. The Health Department samples and tests the water weekly to ensure it is safe for swimming. The higher counts were likely due to runoff from heavy rains.
The water playground near the beach remains open because its water comes from the potable water system and is further treated to the standards governing public swimming pools.
Before the swimming area reopens next year, Lee County Parks & Recreation will research measures that can be taken to naturally flush the beach area after rains so bacteria levels do not fluctuate so widely, causing the beach to continually close and reopen.
Lakes Park opened in 1984 and attracts an average of 175,000 visitors a year with some years as high as 250,000 people. The 279-acre facility includes 158 acres of fresh water lakes for fishing, canoeing and swimming (the swimming area opens Memorial Day and closes Labor Day). The park also has: 2-1/2 miles of paved pathways for jogging, biking, rollerblading and walking; picnic pavilions, amphitheater, and lodge with complete kitchen; and playgrounds, miniature railroad, train village and fragrance garden. Paddle boats, canoes and bicycles are available for rent.
Lee County’s Parks & Recreation Department maintains and operates 3,500 acres of developed park land, 14 centers, 9 pools, five boat ramps, three Gulf beach parks, one lakefront beach, 76 beach accesses, 60 tennis courts, 73 ballfields, and 13 preserves. The department’s fiscal year 2001 operating budget is $15.1 million.