FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   

Contact:   John Yarbrough, Lee County Parks & Recreation
                (941) 461-7410                       

COUNTY TO WAIVE PARKS PARKING FEES DURING RECOGNITION WEEKEND

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 9, 2002) – Lee County is celebrating July as National Parks & Recreation Month and is waiving parking fees at all county regional parks July 27 and 28 as part of the recognition. 

The Board of Lee County Commissioners at its meeting today approved a resolution proclaiming July as Parks & Recreation Month in Lee County and the waiving of the fees.  The resolution is as follows: 

WHEREAS, the National Recreation & Parks Association has declared July as National Parks & Recreation Month, and 

            WHEREAS, Lee County Parks and Recreation touches the lives of individuals, families, groups, and the entire community positively impacting upon the social economic, and environmental quality of our County, and 

            WHEREAS, parks, greenways, and open space provide a welcome respite from our fast paced, high tech lifestyles while protecting and preserving our natural environment, and 

            WHEREAS, parks, playgrounds, nature trails, open spaces, community and cultural centers, and historic sites make a community attractive and desirable places to live, work, play and visit, and 

            WHEREAS, Lee County Parks and Recreation activities, and leisure experiences provide opportunities for young people to live, grow, and develop into contributing members of society, and 

WHEREAS, park and recreation agencies provide outlets for physical activities, socialization’s, and stress reducing experiences, and           

            NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners proclaim July as Parks & Recreation month in Lee County and urge all citizens to visit the parks, especially on the weekend of July 27th and 28th when all parking fees will be waived at Lee County Regional Parks. 

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 also manages the more than 7,500 acres of environmentally sensitive lands the county has purchased in the last five years through its Conservation 2020 Program.  Its fiscal year 2002 operating budget is $16.2 million. 

The Parks System gained national accreditation last year and is a 2002 National Gold Medal Award Finalist.