Service Clubs Build Shelters at Jim Fleming Eco Park
Ten-member teams from Lehigh Acres Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs will flock to the site of East County Water Control District’s (ECWCD) Jim Fleming Ecological Park (JFEP) this Saturday for a shelter building construction competition.
The Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs have donated approximately $10,000 each for the purchase of shelter buildings for JFEP. The clubs were approached by ECWCD to help erect the structures in a friendly competition— which is also saving ECWCD close to $5,000 in labor costs.
“The competition is a great opportunity for local organizations to feel like they truly have been a part of the bigger picture,” said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD Manager. “We wanted the clubs to really feel the importance of their donation.”
The competition began at 9 a.m. concluded at 3 p.m.
“There has always been a friendly rivalry between clubs and we have now been given the chance to work together for the greater good of the community,” said John Boardman, Kiwanis President.
The event will end with a presentation of a golden hammer to the club who made the most progress with construction. According to Lindsay, ECWCD staff will finish any remaining construction of the shelter buildings.
“The golden hammer is a way to thank the clubs for their effort,” said Lindsay. “And of course to award bragging rights to the winner to help fuel the age-old friendly rivalry.”
With the completion of the shelter buildings ECWCD is one step closer to the opening of JFEP.
The $180,000 park is slated for completion in early March with a park dedication soon to follow.
The development of JFEP – a 3.5-acre parcel on the corner of Lee Blvd. and Xelda Ave. – is the result of East County Water Control District’s (ECWCD) effort to preserve one of the last remaining pieces of Lehigh Acres’ original wetlands.
The park is the decade-long vision of Jim Fleming, who served on the board of ECWCD. After Fleming’s passing in the spring of 2006, ECWCD decided to honor the man who turned this park from a mere dream into reality.
Carla Ulakovic
Community Project Specialist
East County Water Control District
601 East County Lane
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
Phone: (239) 368-0044 ext. 17
Fax: (239)368-3412
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The chants of many danced through the air as Senator Dave Aronberg lead guests of East County Water Control District's (ECWCD) Groundbreaking Celebration in the University of Miami's 'Yamma Yamma Cheer' to honor Jim Fleming- the celebrated alumnus and unofficial mascot, Yamma Yamma, of the Miami Hurricanes.
ECWCD broke ground on Jim Fleming Ecological Park (JFEP) in Lehigh Acres, FL, with the support of county commissioners, senators, community members, and the Fleming family and ECWCD friends.
The groundbreaking ceremony represented a culmination of more than a decade of planning, visioning and the great efforts of many for this $186,000 project. .
JFEP will both honor and continue Mr. Fleming's dedication to the local community by preserving a piece of the Lehigh Acres' natural beauty for community enjoyment.
The bulk of this four-acre parcel-which remains one of the only green spaces on the main road of Lee Blvd.-was donated to ECWCD by the Lehigh Corporation in 1999.
The Florida Department of the Environmental Protection contributed $112,500 grant, Lee County contributed $50,000, and ECWCD contributed $73,500 to the project.
In mere one-hundred-and-eighty days, this four-acre parcel will complete its transformation into JFEP.
Community members will be able experience the park's two pavilions, barbeque facilities and a 300 foot boardwalk with as much passion and joy as Jim Fleming and the members of ECWCD have expressed in the realization of this vision.
The park will be lanscaped with native plants-including Cypress, Red Maples and Oak trees-which should allow the wetland to turn into a prosperous Cypress Dome," said Dave Lindsay, District Manager, ECWCD."
"ECWCD's mission is to manage, protect, improve and preserve the natural resources within our District," said Lindsay. "So, when Jim came to us, years ago, with the vision to preserve piece of Lehigh's original wetlands we saw an opportunity to give back to the community and make one man's dream into a reality."
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