Up and Running in Southwest Florida
The community moves forward as parks, services and other facilities reopen
LEE COUNTY Adopt, Foster and Feed Pets
Pet adoptions and fostering is on the rise as Southwest Florida residents volunteer to help animals in need of homes. “Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) has seen a remarkable sense of community with residents stepping up to foster and pitch in,” says Karen Fordiani, public information specialist at LCDAS.
The organization has also provided emergency surgeries for pets in need. “In one instance, emergency surgery saved a mother dog and her two newborn puppies,” adds Fordiani.
To help families feed their pets during difficult times, food bins are located throughout the community and the donations are distributed to families at local food banks.
To donate or find a bin near you, visit leelostpets .com. To adopt or foster a pet, call 239-533-7387 to schedule an appointment, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. The lost and found department is also open by appointment during the same hours.
Gulf Coast Humane Society and Cape Coral Animal Shelter are also fostering and adopting pets, as well as seeking donations.
For more information, visit leegov.com/animalservices; gulfcoasthumanesociety.org; and capecoralanimalshelter.com.
FORT MYERS Reconnecting With Nature
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates have reopened the 20-acre botanical gardens, along with the riverside area of the property, following the temporary closure for COVID-19. Numerous plants are in bloom, making it a good time to get out, stroll the grounds and explore the variety of trees from around the world. Guests can use the self-guided tours via cell phones to learn about the historic winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, including the guest house, study, swimming pool and moonlight garden. The Garden Shoppe and Museum Store are also open. Discounted admissions are available. Hours may be limited.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online at edisonfordwinterestates.org.
FORT MYERS BEACH Contactless Curbside Pickup at Libraries
Reading is a great source of knowledge, as well as a welcome escape. To help the community keep their hands on great books, Fort Myers Beach Public Library is offering contactless curbside pick. Those who love to read can also download up to two e-books, which can be checked out for 14 days. Once the lending time expires, the e-books disappear, so there’s no need to worry about returning them on time. To use the curbside service, simply place a hold through the catalog or call the library Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (239-7658162) and ask to have the title ready for you. Then come pick up your books. Onsite bins are available for returns.
Many Lee County Public Libraries have reopened with limitations, such as contact less self-service checkouts and building-capacity limits.
For more information, visit leegov.com/library and fmb.lib.fl.us.
BONITA SPRINGS Exercising Outdoors
Community Park, with more than four acres of land, is Bonita Springs’ largest park, offering amenities for all ages to enjoy. Many of its facilities have reopened, including the 18-hole disc golf course, tennis courts, outdoor basketball/futsal pavilion, baseball and soccer fields (limited capacity), community pool (for lap swim and fitness only), recreation center (fitness room only), and children’s playground.
Before heading out, check the website for the latest updates: bonitaspringsparks.org.
SANIBEL ISLAND Enhancing Virtual Experiences
Many meetings, classes, clubs and groups have gone virtual on videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom. While the events may be held indoors, users can transform their background space into a wildlife scene from J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Images ranging from a stunning spoonbill on a beach, to an anhinga on a blossoming tree branch, to an osprey in its nest are offered for free use by simply downloading from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. By using the images, you can help create awareness of the importance of the refuge to the area’s wildlife, while at the same time providing a beautiful setting for virtual viewing.
The refuge’s wildlife can also be viewed from afar via a webcam that is set atop the observation tower and can be rotated 360 degrees. Wildlife Drive is open, as are the hiking trails. Hours are 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Saturday through Thursday. There are no entrance fees.
To download an image, visit: fws.gov/mountain-prairie/ea/eaImagery.php. To view the webcam, visit fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling/Multimedia/Live_Cam.html.
For more information on the refuge, visit fws.gov/dingdarling.
CAPE CORAL Stocking Up Pantries
On Friday mornings, Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral converts into a food-distribution site where prepackaged foods, canned goods and fresh produce are provided to those in need—thanks to the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Every week the food bank offers 12 drive-through sites throughout Southwest Florida. While the food bank generally feeds around 28,000 people per week on average, during the past few months, the numbers have increased by more than 50 percent. Thanks to generous volunteers and donors, the food bank has been able to keep up with the demand.
“We will be at Sun Splash and other local sites as long as there is a need in the community and vehicles keep lining up for food,” says Mary Wozniak, marketing and communications manager for Harry Chapin Food Bank. To pick up food, pop your trunk and drive through on Friday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon. For a calendar of distribution sites and to learn how you can volunteer or donate, visit the organization’s website. Pet donations are available on some days at certain locations. Community Cooperative and Midwest Food Bank are also offering assistance to Southwest Floridians.
For more information, visit sunsplashwaterpark.com and harrychapinfoodbank.org.