This park is very close to where we ate lunch at the newly reopened Sweet Tomatoes, so after we…read moreate, we headed over to check it out. Lakes Park is a 279-acre public park located along Gladiolus Drive, just south of Fort Myers. It is operated by the Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation. The park was named after its main feature: 158 acres of man-made freshwater lakes that were created when the site was occupied by West Coast Rock Co., a rock and limestone quarry, during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1958, a railroad spur was built to serve the mine, running along what is now Six Mile Cypress Parkway. The track bed had previously been used by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad from 1926 to 1952. In 1978, Lee County purchased the abandoned quarry to preserve the land before opening it to the public as a park on April 21, 1984. My first impression was that this has to be one of the nicest parks I have ever visited. It has so much to offer that I could have easily spent the entire day there. If you visit the park, it is important to note that admission is free, but parking is not. It costs $1 per hour, up to a maximum of $5. Once you enter the park, there is so much to do. There are more than 2.5 miles of paved paths running throughout the park. There is an amphitheater, beach volleyball courts, a boat launch, a fishing area, a train-themed playground, picnic shelters, gardens, a wedding gazebo, and a train museum. You can also rent a boat, kayak, or bicycle. Admission to the train museum is $5, and the 15-minute train rides, when operating, cost $5 per adult. The park also offers story-time programs, a farmers market (October through June), and a two-hour bird patrol tour on the first Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. The park is a stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a network of more than 500 wildlife viewing sites across the state. On the day I visited, it was blisteringly hot. I recommend visiting during the cooler months. Even so, I was able to walk the boardwalk, where I spotted a variety of birds, and I explored a few of the gardens. The park is so lovely. We have multiple parks on Florida's east coast that offer some of the same features, but here in Fort Myers, you can find it all at Lakes Regional Park.

What a huge and beautiful park. I'm a little jealous we don't have anything like this near us! We…read morelet the kids play on two different playgrounds. There was a splash pad that was closed off due to construction. We saw a community garden, children's garden, and train museum and boardwalk. You can easily spend a few hours here. I think parking was $1/hours or $5 for the day. It's huge here!! I read 279 acres.

Really great park for kids of all ages. Smaller Tot park for 2-5 year olds and larger big kid…read moreplayground for 5-12 year olds. Really nice Soccer pitch with two goals in great condition as well as a nicely paved and maintained basketball court! Large covered pavilion for picnics with plenty of tables is great for a bring your own lunch! Larger kid park is well shaded unlike the tot park, so that's my only criticism. Both parks provide a cement wall ample seating for adults! Came here in a Friday morning and we were the only family here. Love it!

This two acre park includes a recreational facility (currently closed due to COVID) and a large…read moreactivities area. A baseball/softball field, basketball courts, picnic shelters with grills and a pretty decent playground area. The park has dedicated parking. The picnic pavilion is quite large and has several tables underneath. The park is in very good condition and the equipment seems well maintained. [Review 13367 overall, 685 of 2020.]

If you looking for something to do with your kids or engage in regular exercise programs, Estero…read moreCommunity Park may be the place for you! There are actually two components, Community Park and a 40,000 sq. ft Recreation Center. Admission to the park and parking is free. Recreation Center has a one-time membership fee $10 individual or $20 for two adults or $25 for family! This 55-acre South Lee County facility features an amphitheater, picnic shelters and pavilion with charcoal stand, off-leash dog park, children playground, bocce courts, beach or sand volleyball courts, 5K track field, and 18-hole disc golf course with 5 lakes. Two historic homes were relocated inside the park and run by Estero Historical Society! The recreation center offers leagues such as adult basketball, adult volleyball, wheelchair basketball, and pickleball. For additional fee, you can sign up for fitness classes, Wood Craving, Arts and Craft, Ballroom dancing, tap dancing, Karate, table tennis and other classes. The gym is a popular venue for Gymnastic, Basketball, and volleyball competitions and tournaments. A fully equipped weight room is available to build up your stamina and tune up your muscle! For the wood pushers, youngsters and adults can compete in chess games on Saturday! You can walk your dogs or take the leashes off inside the dog park. A dog washing area is available to clean your dog before you go home! You want to test your frisbee skills, you can try the 18 holes disc golf course. It is a very scenic walk and good frisbee skill is mandatory otherwise it will go into the lakes. The facility is well run and staff is friendly. Go and try the Estero Community Park/Recreation Center to sweat a little for fitness or have a birthday party at one of pavilion or compete at a beach volley ball game or a pickleball game! For facility availability and schedule check with the Estero Recreation Center! BTW, I visit Estero Recreation Center at least twice weekly!

Nice community park with an amazing rec center offering much needed family recreation (SWFL has…read morelimited options accessible to most) and beautiful outdoor facilities. The only thing I do wish, is that all pet owners understood the importance of keeping pups on leash where kiddos play. Especially since there is also a nearby dog park and it's not really fair to other dogs who are leashed and may not know the general attitude of the puppies running freely around the park. This, is not a reflection of Estero community park, however. The human condition after-all, hasn't anything to do with the park itself; more so its one-off visitors whom don't seem to consider their neighbors; I suppose.

Looks like a perfect place to find a pickup game. Lighted courts and it's covered from the rain…read more Unfortunately was closed.

There is a recreation hall here but I did not have a chance to see it as it's still closed because…read moreof the pandemic. But the outside facilities are all open and available now. The park includes basketball courts (indoor, sort of), picnic shelters with grills, a nice jogging/walking path, volleyball courts, soccer fields and even pickleball courts. The playground looks pretty cool and there are benches nearby for the adults to sit while the kids play. Plenty of parking and the park is fenced to keep the kids from wandering onto the very busy Palm Beach Blvd. [Review 13299 overall, 617 of 2020.]

Followed walking paths to Courtside Steakhouse, basketball courts, tennis courts, spa & very nice…read moregym. Equipment was clean & in good condition. We wore our wristbands & used our room key for access.

Holy smokes, this is a large park. Featuring FOUR lighted soccer fields, a softball field, THREE…read morepicnic shelters with grills, TWO lighted tennis courts, picnic tables all around and even a playground with equipment designed for ages 4 to 17, it's got everything you need. The playground is designed as an "inclusive" and "accessible" structure is great for those who have mobility issues. And that's worth a star all by itself! Three acre lake and walking paths, too! Great space! [Review 12342 overall, 2128 of 2019.]

In Cape Coral visiting my wife's Dad. At home (Brooklyn) we take our 3 year old to two nearby…read moreplaygrounds as often as possible. So if it was possible, we wanted to do the same here. The reviews for Jim Jeffers looked promising. Our playground expert (our aforementioned 3 year old) couldn't stop running and swinging and climbing the entire time she was there. She had a big smile on her face for the entire time! Swings - slides - climbing - this place has it all. If she could, our playground expert would give this park 5 stars. So I'll do it for her.

Awesome park with trail around little pond. Bathrooms and picnic area makes for a great lunch spot!…read moreTot park for ages 2-5 and older park for 5-12 year olds. Well maintained with fresh mulch and nicely cut grass. Water fountain water barely bubbles out but we brought our own so it wasn't really an issue. Playgrounds are clean and maintained as well. Made for a great morning adventure with the kids. We came on a Thursday morning with our dogs and we were the only ones in the park. Dogs ran free and had a great time. Pack a lunch. Stay for a while and enjoy the parks.

I was here for a picnic lunch and to check out the playground. While I ate, I watched a few careful…read moreparents keeping an eye on their toddlers as they climbed and played and generally had a great time burning off their excess energy. ​This 40-acre property was donated by Rutenberg Homes https://www.yelp.com/biz/arthur-rutenberg-homes-fort-myers-2 for use as a park and opened to the public in 1977. The park has a baseball/softball field, basketball courts, picnic areas with grills, racquetball courts and tennis courts. There is a concessions area when there are big games going on. Plenty of parking. Plenty of shady spots. It's a great park. [Review 13369 overall, 687 of 2020.]

This is a clean, beautiful playground that is great for ages 1 to 9. They have multiple apparatuses…read moreand the park is pristine.

Great little park! Wish it was shaded, but we spent a great afternoon here. We brought lunch and…read moresat at the nearby picnic tables.

A big park centered around a large pond which could maybe be a small lake. A paved walking trail…read moreloops around the lake which makes for a nice workout. The park also includes basketball courts, a pavilion (not reservable - it is first come, first served) with a charcoal grill, and public restrooms. The parking area is small but there are also streets and homes to park near. Just be sure that you're not blocking a driveway. A nice playground is on the south side of the park - not close to the parking area. [Review 20258 overall - 1761 in Florida - 1235 of 2023.]

Stumbling upon Cambier Park was accidental. We were in the area to stop by Bonta Bakery on 5th…read moreAvenue for a gelato break. Parked and happened to walk by the park. We got the gelato and came back to the park so my kids could check it out. Cambier Park is located in the heart of Downtown Naples. It's a huge playground with tons of options for the kids. I love that there's a Little Free Library at the entrance of the park too. There's a cute area with English to Spanish translations for some basic words. I love these old wooden style parks because it reminds me of my childhood. But sadly I feel like these types of parks will all be updated with new and modern parks with PLASTIC!!! Interesting choice too considering how hot Florida gets and the plastic gets scorching hot in the sun!!! Hmmmmm. These are older photos and I believe the park is currently approved for new park design renovations with completed date for April 2027. "Naples City Council chose the vendor for a new playground at Cambier Park. The design is described as a Swiss Family Robinson-inspired tree concept".

Had a nice gig playing drums at Cambier Park on a Monday evening. Great music and a great audience!read more