CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
A Cape Coral father is fighting to preserve Four Freedoms Park by nominating it for historic designation as the site faces demolition due to the approved Bimini East development plan.
The Madden family discovered the park years ago during a visit to Cape Coral through a random Google search. Since then, it has become a significant part of their lives. Their children attended the Four Freedoms VPK program, where they grew up, made friends, and learned from their teachers.
With the Bimini East development moving forward, the preschool building and park are slated to be torn down, though the playground will be relocated by the developers.
Louis Madden, a Cape Coral resident, said he nominated Four Freedoms Park for historic designation in hopes of saving it.
“I want to really know the exact reason why because it falls into every aspect that the City of Cape Coral themselves, establish as a historical location,” Madden said.
Diana Lidden, a longtime preschool teacher at Four Freedoms, has also expressed her opposition to the development.
“Please, please don’t do this,” Lidden said, crying.
Lidden was moved to tears again as she informed another family that the preschool program would be relocated due to the development.
Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn has reminded residents during council meetings that the preschool program will not be eliminated but will move to a different location.
Still, many in the community want the park’s history to remain intact for future generations.
“It’s the first part of Cape Coral. It’s been here since my day one,” Madden said. “But sooner or later it came up. It was donated by the Rosen brothers.”
On Monday, the Cape Coral City Council will decide whether to approve or deny the historic designation for Four Freedoms Park. Alternatively, the council could choose to move forward with accepting the nomination.
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