FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gary Porter, Lee County Parks & Recreation (941) 338-3300

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 25, 2000) – Lee County has begun construction on an 3,000-square-foot "water playground" at Lakes Regional Park that will provide splashing and cooling fun for children and adults on hot South Florida days. The park is located at 7330 Gladiolus Drive, between U.S. 41 and Summerlin Road.

The $150,000 water playground is being built next to the swimming beach on the southwest side of the park. It will have a "Florida Cypress swamp" theme with a soft, rubber-like surface and a number of squirting, spraying and splashing features in the shapes of frogs, snakes, birds and other animals.

The water itself will be maintained and treated using the same high standards that govern public swimming pools. Although there will not be any standing water, large pumps, computer-controlled valves and an underground circulation system will keep the constant flow of clean, cool water entertaining the visitors to the playground.

The water feature playground is scheduled to open in about eight weeks and will be open year round, weather permitting. There will be no admission fee other than the daily parking fee of 75-cents per hour or $3 for the day. Bring your swimming suit and join the fun! Call 338-3300 for more information.

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.

In May, the county opened a new $100,000 playground at the park near the Train Village station and boardwalk/concession area. The playground includes a "climbing boulder," "dinosaur stairs," "Bigfoot slide," swings, miniature backhoe digger and a spiral slide.