{"id":253200,"date":"2026-04-30T23:58:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T23:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/253200\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T23:58:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T23:58:08","slug":"jaycee-park-rebuild-draws-praise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/253200\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaycee Park rebuild draws praise"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Elaine and Barry Stephens enjoy the riverfront view of Jaycee Park. MEGHAN BRADBURY<\/p>\n

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Sandra Trawick strolls along the elevated boardwalk with her mini\u2013Australian shepherd, Aubie. She said the wholly rebuilt park is \u201cfabulous.\u201d MEGHAN BRADBURY<\/p>\n

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New amenities at Jaycee Park include an elevated boardwalk along the Caloosahatchee River, a band shell and three new playgrounds, including the splash pad pictured. MARK CLIFFORD<\/p>\n

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Individuals of all ages, as well as dogs of all sizes, took a stroll through Jaycee Park on opening morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite all the naysayers, it is beautiful and well done,\u201d said Barry Stephens, who was enjoying the riverfront views with his wife Elaine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thursday morning brought out a range of visitors \u2014 kids enjoying the playground tucked under shade canopies, adults and children enjoying the splash pad; leisurely walkers with four-legged friends along the boardwalk, and many others exercising while taking in the new scenery of the revamped park.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely fabulous,\u201d said Sandra Trawick, who was taking her mini-Australian shepherd, Aubie, for a walk.<\/p>\n

The new amenities include an elevated boardwalk along the Caloosahatchee River offering views that expand to the Cape Coral Bridge and Midpoint, a band shell, bathrooms, three new playgrounds, including a splash pad, misting\/drinking stations for dogs, as well as countless places to sit. <\/p>\n

Along the paths are 425 new trees, as well as new native vegetation.<\/p>\n

Trawick had a bird\u2019s eye view during the rebuild of Jaycee Park. She said she watched it from the beginning due to its proximity of where she lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gorgeous, all of it. I love the riverwalk. It\u2019s like you are on the water,\u201d Trawick said. \u201cI love all the lights.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said the only thing she thinks is missing is a lighted Jaycee Park sign.<\/p>\n

The rebuild came in $18.7 million with another phase yet to come.<\/p>\n

After the Stephens heard of the opening on the news, they decided to check out the park. Jaycee Park was the first park they visited five years ago when they were looking to relocate from Atlanta to Cape Coral.<\/p>\n

Stephens recalled meeting a couple from Colorado, who they walked around the park with and chatted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we have seen so far was excellent,\u201d he said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t of had the vision of taking down the trees \u2013 it\u2019s spectacular.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the opening of the park, JC Hannah started her longstanding tradition \u2013 exercising at the park once again Thursday morning. She said she went through withdrawal with the park being closed, but never drove down Beach Parkway to sneak a peak of the progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful park \u2013 amazing job,\u201d Hannah said. \u201cIt meets every need. I think it\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The one thing she thinks is missing is the shade and suggested adding more shade sails to different areas.<\/p>\n

Barb also paid a visit to the park with a little one in tow to enjoy the playground.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am impressed with what they have done with the playgrounds,\u201d she said, adding that the park needs more shade. \u201cThe facility is so much nicer.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the dog traffic at the park, it was also suggested to add more bag stations in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n

The city listed the amenity highlights in a release announcing the reopening:<\/p>\n

\u2022 a lighted riverfront boardwalk and overlook<\/p>\n

\u2022 upgraded pathways with cooling misters<\/p>\n

\u2022 lush native landscaping<\/p>\n

\u2022 improved accessibility<\/p>\n

\u2022 a large inclusive playground<\/p>\n

\u2022 adult changing stations<\/p>\n

\u2022 a 5,000-square-foot splash pad<\/p>\n

\u2022 shaded picnic areas<\/p>\n

\u2022 a bandshell for performances<\/p>\n

\u2022 cornhole, pool, and shuffleboard tables<\/p>\n

\u2022 beach volleyball courts<\/p>\n

\u2022 a dedicated food truck court offering food and beverages (coming soon)<\/p>\n

The officials ribbon cutting is set for Friday, May 8, at 10 a.m. The ceremony is open to the public, and no reservations are required to attend.<\/p>\n

The park is at the end of Beach Parkway at 4215 S.E. 20th Place.<\/p>\n


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