FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   

Contact:            Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
             (941) 335-2777

COMMISSION APPROVES NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY PARK ITEMS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 5, 2002) – The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting.  They are:

Parks Transfer – Approved the transfer of Clemente neighborhood park to the City of Fort Myers.  With the transfer, the county also will contribute $50,000 for improvements.  The 5-acre Clemente Park is located at 1936 Henderson Avenue in Dunbar.  Also approved $50,000 for improvements to Dunbar neighborhood park, which is five acres at the northeast corner of Raleigh and Indian streets that the School Board is making available to the city.  Fort Myers will provide ongoing operations, maintenance and programming for both facilities.  For more information, contact John Yarbrough at 461-7410.

Estero Park – Approved the Estero Community Park Master Plan.  The plan for the 55-acre park includes a community building, two soccer fields, playgrounds for different age groups, a water playground, horseshoe and bocce ball courts, a 5K cross-country course and bike/walking trails along with picnic pavilions.  The architect was Parker/Mudgett/Smith and J.L. Wallace will be the construction manager.  Construction cost will be between $4-and-$5 million.  The county held five public meetings in the Estero community to get public input on what should be included in the park.  Construction will begin next year.  For more information, contact John Yarbrough.