Cape Coral parks strut their stuff at open house

Cape Coral's Parks and Recreation Department hosted an open house today at the Yacht Club to celebrate National Parks and Recreation month.

Representatives from city parks and programs were on hand to help visitors learn more.

"We did it a little differently this year," said Barbara Dickinson, manager of the yacht club. "We decided to bring all the facilities together in one spot, so people can see what all the recreational facilities have to offer."

In years prior, each park hosted its own open house. Susan Edward, supervisor of Four Freedoms Park, likes the new format.

"It was a very wise decision," Edward said. "We thought it would be convenient for our citizens if we were together in one location."

The open house was in the yacht club's beach-side pavilion. There were performances of ballroom dance and Zumba, with kayak and fishing demonstrations on the beach.

Rotary Park brought butterflies, a turtle, a snake and other animals to showcase the environmental aspects.

"I see some stuff that I'm interested in," said Julia Hartlieb, a Cape Coral resident. Her children have taken swim lessons at the Yacht Club pool.

"Like they (the parks department) said, it starts in the park," Hartlieb said.

Rosie Perez, a Cape resident, said she brought her family to look for programs for her children during the summer and school year.

"To have everyone in one location is very convenient," she said. "When you talk to the people they give you better insights of what the have to offer."

Dickinson said the parks are trying to get the word out to residents: "We have a lot to offer, a lot more than people realize."


More information

Visit Cape Coral's Parks and Recreation website at capeparks.com.