Park project does away with exotics

A cyclist at Lakes Regional Park in south Fort Myers rides past new plants and shrubs that were planted at the park as part of $182,646.60 project sponsored by the Florida Division of Forestry.

Nature lovers, bird watchers and those who exercise at Lakes Regional Park in south Fort Myers are seeing a lot more green on the east and west side of the park.

The park recently completed a $182,646.60 landscaping project that in a few years will give the park more Florida friendly foliage and eventually a canopy that everyone can enjoy.

"We put a plan together to get rid of all the exotics that are bad for the park and we planted all new plants," said Fred Johnson, the project manager for Lee County Parks & Recreation. "Following the 2004 hurricanes, a lot of the exotics fell over and it was a mess."

Park officials had always planned to remove the Australian pines and Melaleuca trees that were taking over the native foliage at the park.

Johnson worked with the Florida Division of Forestry for a grant that helped gave the park $75,000 to start.

"Lee County through their landscaping projects are very good with working to solve issues and do these projects," said Mike Weston, the senior forester with the Florida Division of Forestry.

Weston oversaw Johnson's plans for the park and said the project will drastically improve the parks uses.

"The project area is a high traffic area and it puts people in contact with the woods and lets them enjoy it," said Weston, who said that in 10 to 15 years the trees will enhance the aesthetics of the park.

"Right now, it's kinda disappointing with the smaller trees but a lot of pine trees were planted and it will be great."

The project was completed in the spring and the more than 1,025 trees and 2,000 shrubs are flourishing, Johnson said.

Park visitors on the east side of the park can enjoy the walking trail that now includes a winding plant scheme.

Parts of west side of the park were cleared to make way for an open field where visitors can play with a flying disc and picnic.

Maples, palms, pines, oaks, pop ash, mahogany, black olive, bald cypress and red mangrove were a few of the trees planted along with smaller plants that will attract animals to the area as well.

"It has a greater variety of trees and everyone has had very positive things to say about it," said Johnson, about the project that reused the exotic plant material as mulched bedding. "It opens up a lot of area for people to enjoy and it makes it more attractive."

Work at the park isn't finished though, Johnson said, referring to a master plan that is being created to possibly include a botanical garden, a railroad museum and moving the park's maintenance facility.

"We are looking at various uses and how they can be arranged," Johnson said. "The work is on-going and it makes it all much nicer."