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News from the Friends of Lovers Key State Park
Wishing you a happy, healthy Autumn!
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Beach N' Brews
 



Join us for a night of music and fun on the beach featuring craft beer from local breweries and delicious food from popular food trucks.

$50 for regular admission which is from 6pm-9pm. This includes a commemorative cup and free beer samples all night.

$75 for VIP tickets which allows guests to arrive at 5pm for sunset. Package includes VIP bathrooms, gazebo seating, a gift bag and a beautiful sunset. A limited number of VIP tickets are available.

Several local area breweries will be in attendance including: Momentum Brewery, Millennial Brewery, Naples Beach Brewery, Big Blue Brewing, Riptide Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing, and Coastal Dayz Brewing. Food trucks on site will be The DogHouse and Cajun Gringos. Live music will be provided as well.

We are also happy to announce that Dan Andrews and Chris Wittman from Captains for Clean Water will also be in attendance and will serve as judges in a beer competition!

All of the proceeds go to the Welcome & Discovery Center Project at Lovers Key State Park

Please Note:

By entering the event grounds, you willingly give your permission for Beach N' Brews to capture your image via video and photography for its unrestricted use in all forms of media/marketing.

All attendees must present an ID showing they are of legal drinking age

Please no children, toddlers, babies or pets

Buy Tickets by clicking here.
 

More Fun at Lover's Key


The Events Committee for Friends of Lovers Key State Park has been working hard to guarantee the the upcoming season will be full of fun things to look forward to at Lovers Key State Park beside the beautiful beach. hiking and biking trails, nature talks given by our learned rangers, kayaking and beautiful sunsets (sometimes including a green flash.)

The first event will be a Beer Tasting in November called Beach ‘N Brews, followed by Santa on the Sand in December, Vow Renewals on Valentine’s Day, and a Luau on the beach  featuring a Pig Roast in April and the 9th annual Turtle Trot in May.

Some changes have been made regarding signing up for these events. We have had a lot of success with eventbrite and are going to continue using them again this coming season. We hope to get all of our events (except the Turtle Trot) on eventbrite as soon as possible, so you can make your plans and we can know how many want to come.

 “Santa on the Sand” this year we will charge $5 per child plus an unwrapped gift.  This way if we are rained out, we will have money to give to the charity.  The registration limit will go up to 150 children.  We will have two time slots 1- 3 PM and 2 – 4 PM just to make the flow easier. Contributions are totally being donated to a charity to be announced in the future.

Vow Renewal Ceremony at the Gazebo on the beach. Couples have the opportunity to choose either a 10:00 AM ceremony, a 1:00 PM ceremony or a 4:00 PM ceremony. All will include a Champagne Toast, a yummy meal, coffee and cake, socializing, photo opt stations (bring your own camera), as well as door prizes and parting gifts. Fee: $125 per couple, a non‐refundable donation to our new Welcome and Discovery Center. 

The Luau will include a Pig Roast or Chicken, Steel Drum Music & Dancing and Games at the Gazebo. Tickets include entrance to the Park and two free drinks. Donations are for the Welcome & Discovery Center. Luau  registration will be in two parts: early registration will be up to February 8th.  The cost will be $55 for FOLKs members and $60 for Non-FOLKs members.  Starting February 9th, the cost will be $65 for FOLKs members and $75 for Non-FOLKs members. 

Generous Donations for the Welcome and Discovery Center


Our Campaign Committee chairperson Debbie Voorhees holds a $160,000 donation to be applied to fund the Exhibits room of the new Lover's Key Welcome and Discovery Center. Want to become a donor? Click on the link at the top of this newsletter!

 
Not a FOLKS member yet? Join today!

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Florida Park Service Has Been Awarded the 2019 Gold Medal Award in Parks and Recreation


On September 24, 2019, in News Releases, by Staff

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service was awarded the 2019 National Gold Medal award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association. This achievement makes Florida the only park system in the nation to win a fourth Gold Medal award.

“With over 800,000 acres, including 100 miles of beaches, the Florida Park Service has a proud legacy of leading conservation and recreation in Florida. This legacy is built on the way Florida State Parks connect with people, engage communities and adapt to emerging needs,” said Governor DeSantis. “I am proud of Florida’s efforts to conserve and protect some of the state’s most treasured places.”

“This honor is proven evidence of the tremendous dedication of our employees and volunteers who manage the resources that provide these vast opportunities for Floridians and visitors to enjoy our natural resources,” said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. “More than 32 million people visit these award-winning state parks each year, and we are proud to continue sharing how special Florida is for all who visit.”

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. Applications were separated into seven categories with five based on population, one for armed forces recreation and one for state park systems.

“We are so proud to be recognized with the National Gold Medal Award,” Florida Park Service Director Eric Draper said. “This award honors the terrific work that our staff, volunteers and partners do to protect natural and cultural resources and open parks every day. We’re also thankful to visitors for supporting and celebrating Florida State Parks.”

“The Florida Recreation and Park Association is thrilled to have yet another parks system in our state recognized for excellence in natural resource management, cultural resources, resilience, creativity, and visitor services,” said Eleanor Warmack, Executive Director of the Florida Recreation and Park Association. “We are beyond excited that the Florida Park Service, as a four-time National Gold Medal recipient, leads the country among state park systems having received this recognition. The award is a testament to the dedicated men and women in the park service, sound leadership, and wise investments by decision-making bodies that ensure Florida’s residents and visitors continue to enjoy our state’s precious natural resources.”

 

 

Mark your Calendars!
Save the Dates!

2020 Season of FOLKS Special Events

Our 2020 Season is Packed with Fun Events!

Songwriters at Sunset
    January 2nd, 2020, 3:45pm
    February 6th, 2020, 4:15pm
    March 5th, 2020, 4:30pm
    April 2, 2020 5:45pm

Beach ‘N Brews    
November 8, 2019
        VIP 5 – 9PM, General Admission 6 – 9pm
        Register on Eventbrite.com

Santa on the Sand
    
December 8, 2019    
        1 – 3pm, 2 – 3pm
        Limited to 150 children
        Register on Eventbrite.com
        Info Flo Alexander 630-542-2435

Nautical Flea Market
  
 January 23 – 25

Valentine’s Day Vow Renewal
    
February 14, 2020
        10 – 12am, 1 – 3pm and 4 – 6pm
        Register on Eventbrite.com

Luau
    
April 9, 2020
        5:30 -  8:30pm
        Register on Eventbrite.com
 





 

STATE PARK TO OFFER GUIDED NATURE PROGRAMS IN October

 
FORT MYERS BEACH – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Lovers Key State Park will present weekly programs on park history and wildlife throughout the month of October.
 
Programs are included in park admission fees of:
$4.00 for vehicles with one individual.
$8.00 for vehicles with two to eight individuals.
$2.00 per pedestrian or cyclist.
 
All programs will take place at Lovers Key State Park and registration is required. The park offers many recreational opportunities to visitors with disabilities.
For assistance or to register, contact the park office at (239) 463-4588.
 
All programs begin at 10:00 a.m.
October programs include:
 
10th October
Shelling & Beachcombing
Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
Join a Park Naturalist and discover what shells can you find on lovers Key. Learn how clams reproduce, the difference between a worm rock and coral, and what did Herman Melville had to do with Beachcombing.  Due to limited space, reservations are required.  Call 239-463-4588. Regular Entrance Fees Apply
 
11th October
Sea Turtle Talk
Friday at 10:00 a.m.
Join a Park Ranger to learn about the fascinating life-cycle and journeys of the marine turtles that visit Lovers Key each summer.  Learn about their nesting behavior and find out what you can do to help protect them. Due to limited space, reservations are required.  Call 239-463-4588. Regular Entrance Fees Apply
 
18th October
Walk on the Wild Side
Friday at 10:00 a.m.
Join a Park Ranger for a guided hike along our Black Island Trail. Learn about the fascinating vegetation and wildlife that reside in this maritime hammock. Do some bird watching, and maybe learn a little local history. Due to limited space, reservations are required.  Call 239-463-4588. Regular Entrance Fees Apply
22nd October
Fishing Clinic
Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
Join a Park Naturalist to learn a variety of tackle and fresh bait rigs, find out the best places to drop a line, and learn about the rules and regulations that pertain to game fishing in Southwest Florida. You might even learn a few of the “secrets” our local fishermen swear by. Due to limited space, reservations are required.  Call 239-463-4588. Regular Entrance Fees Apply
 
24th October
Birding Beach Walk
Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
Join a Park Naturalist for a leisurely walk on the beach of Lovers Key and learn how to identify the birds you see along the way. You will also get tips on other places in the park where you might find some great birding. Feel free to bring your own binoculars or camera. Due to limited space, reservations are required.  Call 239-463-4588. Regular Entrance Fees Apply
 
25th October
Sensational Sharks!
Friday at 10:00 a.m.
Join a Park Ranger for an interesting and fun talk about Sharks. Discover why sharks are incredible, feared, and often misunderstood. Explore why they’re important to our ecosystem, and learn what you can do to help protect them. Due to limited space, reservations are required.  Call 239-463-4588. Regular Entrance Fees Apply
 
The programs will take place:
           
10:00 a.m.
October 2019
Lovers Key State Park
8700 Estero Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
 
FOLKS would like to thank the following Business Sponsors for their support as we fund raise for the future Welcome and Discovery Center. Please consider visiting their businesses and supporting them as well. Business Partners help support the environmental education mission of the Park.

Add your business to the list!
Contact Rich Donnelly 
at: president@friendsofloverskey.org

          
 
The Friends of Lovers Key, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed by the citizens of the community to support Lovers Key State Park and is registered as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, your Membership and Donations are tax-deductible.
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