>> DEPUTIES SAY IT WAS A TARGETED SHOOTING OVER DRUG MONEY. >> THE LIGHTS ARE ON A DC PARK IN CAPE CORAL AND HAVE BEEN GETTING TESTED ALL WEEK. >> THIS IS PART OF THE CITY’S PLAN. THEIR 12 MILLION DOLLAR PLAN TO RENOVATE THE WATERFRONT PARK GULF COAST REPORTER EDWARD FRANCO IS SPEAKING WITH NEIGHBORS AS THIS CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT IS STARTING TO WIN OVER SOME SKEPTICS. >> THE SWITCH HAS BEEN FLIPPED UP FOR SOME OF THE LIGHTS HERE AT JAYCEE PARK. TESTING IS UNDERWAY WHILE CONSTRUCTION MOVES FORWARD HERE AND SOME OF THE NEIGHBORS TELL ME THEY’RE HAPPY. THE LIGHTS HERE ARE NOT TOO BRIGHT. LIGHTS ARE ON. THE LIGHTS ARE ON. THEY LOOK AWESOME. LIGHTS FLICKERED TO LIFE LINING THE NEW WALKWAYS AS DUSK SETTLED IN AT JAYCEE PARK IN CAPE CORAL AT NIGHT. IT’S IT’S UNREAL. >> BECAUSE YOU CAN STILL SEE THE WATER. BUT IT’S NOT. IT’S NOT LIKE A FOOTBALL FIELD OR A BASEBALL FIELD. IT’S NOT SUPER BRIGHT. IT’S JUST ENOUGH TO SEE. >> AND ENJOY NEIGHBORS LIKE STEVE WEISMAN. WATCH THE CONSTANT CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARK FROM THEIR HOMES. HE TELLS ME THE CITY HAS BEEN TESTING THE LIGHTS SINCE MONDAY. THEIR DOWNWARD LIGHTING. IT’S LED. >> THEIR TONE DOWN AND IT’S JUST ENOUGH BUT NOT TOO MUCH. THE PARK’S 12 MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION PLAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OPEN LAST YEAR, BUT THERE WERE DELAYS WITH THE PROJECT A NATION OF HADN’T DONE FIRST OF THE YEAR. BUT WITH THE PLAYGROUND AND OUTDOOR FURNITURE BEING INSTALLED, TREES BEING PLANTED A NEW BOARDWALK OVERLOOKING THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER. THE CITY SAYS THEY’RE BRIGHT IDEA IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN APRIL. IT’S COMING ALONG GREAT >> IT’S REALLY GOING TO BE A GEM OF THE CITY. PROBABLY ONE OF THE NICEST PARTS, IN MY OPINION THAT WILL HAVE HERE IN CAPE CORAL. SOME NEIGHBORS I SPOKE TO OFF CAMERA SAY THE CITY IGNORED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE REDESIGN BUT ARE NOW JUST WAITING TO SEE HOW TRAFFIC AND THE NEW CROW
Jaycee Park construction brings new lights to Cape Coral
Updated: 12:10 AM EST Feb 19, 2026
Jaycee Park in Cape Coral is undergoing a $12 million renovation, with new lights being tested this week as part of the city’s efforts to enhance the park’s facilities, including handrails and underground plumbing.Steve Wissman, a local resident, expressed his satisfaction with the lighting, saying, “Hey, the lights are on, the lights are on, and they look awesome.” He added, “At night, it’s unreal because you can still see the water, but it’s not like a football field or a baseball field. It’s not super bright. It’s just enough to see and enjoy.”Wissman noted that the city has been testing the lights since Monday, describing them as “downward lighting. It’s LED, they’re toned down, and it’s just enough but not too much.”The park’s renovation plan was supposed to be completed last year, but there were delays with the project. Daryl Brock, another resident, expressed frustration with the project’s delays, stating, “They should have had it done by the first of the year as was promised.”Despite the setbacks, the city is making progress with the playground completed, outdoor furniture being installed, trees being planted, and a new boardwalk overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. The city anticipates the park will open in April. Mayor John Gunter shared his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s really going to be a gem of the city. Probably one of the nicest parks, in my opinion, that will have here in Cape Coral.”Some neighbors expressed dissatisfaction off-camera about the city’s handling of their concerns regarding the redesign, but they are now waiting to see how traffic and new crowds will impact the area.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Jaycee Park in Cape Coral is undergoing a $12 million renovation, with new lights being tested this week as part of the city’s efforts to enhance the park’s facilities, including handrails and underground plumbing.
Steve Wissman, a local resident, expressed his satisfaction with the lighting, saying, “Hey, the lights are on, the lights are on, and they look awesome.” He added, “At night, it’s unreal because you can still see the water, but it’s not like a football field or a baseball field. It’s not super bright. It’s just enough to see and enjoy.”
Wissman noted that the city has been testing the lights since Monday, describing them as “downward lighting. It’s LED, they’re toned down, and it’s just enough but not too much.”
The park’s renovation plan was supposed to be completed last year, but there were delays with the project.
Daryl Brock, another resident, expressed frustration with the project’s delays, stating, “They should have had it done by the first of the year as was promised.”
Despite the setbacks, the city is making progress with the playground completed, outdoor furniture being installed, trees being planted, and a new boardwalk overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. The city anticipates the park will open in April.
Mayor John Gunter shared his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s really going to be a gem of the city. Probably one of the nicest parks, in my opinion, that will have here in Cape Coral.”
Some neighbors expressed dissatisfaction off-camera about the city’s handling of their concerns regarding the redesign, but they are now waiting to see how traffic and new crowds will impact the area.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.