Lee County Parks & Recreation will celebrate Park and Recreation Month in July with the theme “The Power Of Parks and Recreation.” As part of the festivities, Lee County will offer free pool admission and free parking on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, at select parks, beach sites, boat ramps and pools.
Lee County Parks & Recreation sites offering free swimming or free parking include:
- Parks: Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Lakes Park, Hickey Creek Mitigation Park, Manatee Park, and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
- Beach sites: Bonita Beach Accesses No. 1 and No. 10, Bonita Beach Park, Bowditch Point Park, Bowman’s Beach, San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve and Turner Beach (north side only of Blind Pass)
- Boat ramps: Alva, Davis, Imperial River, Matlacha, Pine Island Commercial Marina and Punta Rassa
- Pools: Lehigh Community Pool, North Fort Myers Community Pool, Pine Island Community Pool and San Carlos Community Pool
Other recreational sites within Lee County that are owned or maintained by other government entities are not included in the free swim/free parking weekend. These include Barefoot Beach, beach access points managed by the Town of Fort Myers Beach, and City of Sanibel sites, including the south side of Blind Pass.
This annual initiative is part of Lee County’s recognition of Park and Recreation Month. On June 16, the Lee Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution proclaiming July as Park and Recreation Month in Lee County, highlighting the department’s role in enhancing the social, economic and environmental quality of life throughout the community.
Throughout July, the community is encouraged to share stories, photos and memories that showcase the importance of parks and recreation in their lives on social media using #ThePowerOf.
Lee County Parks & Recreation will host a variety of events for all ages and abilities, including guided walks, fitness classes, aquatic classes, open play sports and more.
This celebration aligns with the nationwide initiative led by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).