Lee County to open park trails April 22; beaches remain closed
Because of continued voluntary compliance and the community’s greater awareness for Centers for Disease Control guidelines, the county announced Tuesday limited re-openings of trails and some services.
Some Lee County Parks & Recreation trails will reopen Wednesday, April 22, with staff on site to help encourage social distancing. Residents will now be able to use JY Linear Park and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in south Fort Myers as well as an array of additional park trails and Conservation 20/20 trails.
For a list, visit www.leegov.com/covid-19 or see additional information provided below.
This move, approved at the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting, is part of the county’s phased-in approach for residents to be able to recreate outside of their neighborhoods while still observing the Governor’s Executive Order.
Although the county is beginning to assess and reopen sites, it is imperative residents remain vigilant to continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Many county facilities remain closed, including Lakes Regional Park, many additional parks, ballfields, playgrounds, pavilions, county pools, recreation centers, beaches and restrooms.
Announcements about future openings will be forthcoming; check www.leegov.com/covid-19 or Facebook Lee County Government.
Also announced at the Board meeting are modifications to Lee County Library System services. Exterior book returns will reopen beginning Wednesday at all branches for patrons to drop off checked-out materials. No fines will be assessed for items overdue because of library closures. Further announcements on library operations will be forthcoming.
The county is grateful to those in the community who have joined the “Take the Pledge” social media campaign to employ best practices to stop the spread of COVID-19. These practices include social distancing when away from home, staying home as much as possible, practicing proper handwashing techniques, refraining from gathering in groups of more than 10, and staying calm, kind and safe. Visit www.leegov.com/pledge.
County leaders continue to monitor data and work with its partners Lee Health and the Florida Department of Health as it relates to the county’s phased-in approach to re-opening sites.
The following sites’ trails will reopen Wednesday, April 22:
Lee County Parks & Recreation sites with trails
Caloosahatchee Regional Park (north side only)
Hickey Creek Mitigation Park
JY Linear Park
Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park
Nalle Grade Park
Pineland Monument Park
Pinewood Trails Park
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (excluding the interpretive center)
Telegraph Creek Paddlecraft Launch
Tropical Point Park
Lee County Parks & Recreation Conservation 20/20 preserves
Alva Scrub Preserve
Bob Janes Preserve
Buckingham Trails Preserve
Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East
Galt Preserve
Hickory Swamp Preserve
Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve
Pop Ash Creek Preserve
Powell Creek Preserve
Prairie Pines Preserve
Six Mile Cypress Preserve North
Telegraph Creek Preserve
Wild Turkey Strand Preserve