May 2026

Jaycee Park Now Open! Ribbon Cutting Set for May 8

The City of Cape Coral invites residents and community members to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the newly improved Jaycee Park.

Jaycee Park, located at 4215 SE 20th Place, is officially open to the public with a ribbon cutting set for Friday, May 8, at 10 a.m. The event is free to attend, and no reservation is required.

Jaycee Park has undergone a major transformation into a more accessible, family-friendly waterfront destination, addressing issues like aging facilities, invasive trees, and parking and pedestrian challenges.

The renovated park now features:

a lighted riverfront boardwalk and overlook
upgraded pathways with cooling misters
lush native landscaping
improved accessibility
a large inclusive playground
adult changing stations
a 5,000-square-foot splash pad
shaded picnic areas
a bandshell for performances
cornhole, pool, and shuffleboard tables
beach volleyball courts
a dedicated food truck court offering food and beverages (coming soon)

City officials will participate in the ribbon cutting, and attendees are encouraged to join in celebrating this reimagined park.

Dear Cape Coral Residents,

As we move into May, Cape Coral continues to invest in the infrastructure that keeps our community safe, strong, and moving forward. From roads and drainage to public safety and parks, these efforts support our growing city and impact our quality of life.

I’m excited to share that Jaycee Park is officially open. This project brings new life to one of our most loved waterfront spaces and shows our commitment to recreation. Thank you to our residents for your patience during construction, and to our staff and those who made this project possible.

We are also looking forward to the opening of Tropicana Park, which is another waterfront park. By the time you read this, it may already be open. This new park in NW Cape Coral adds to our growing system of community spaces and gives individuals and families places to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors.

As hurricane season approaches, being prepared is essential. I encourage every household to review your plans, check your supplies, and stay informed. Please join us for our annual Hurricane Expo on Saturday, May 30 at 9 a.m. at the German American Club. It’s a great way to get helpful information and make sure you’re ready for the season.

City Business & Community Updates

City Invites Community Input on Old Golf Course Park Concepts

The City of Cape Coral is encouraging residents to help shape the future of the Old Golf Course property by reviewing and providing feedback on two preliminary park concepts, now available online.

Residents are invited to visit the site to:

View a brief presentation outlining two initial park concepts
See how previous community feedback helped guide the designs
Review each concept and share input on preferred features

The two concepts present different visions for the site:

Concept A: "Anchor" features a centralized park built around a main civic hub, concentrating amenities, parking, and access into one active destination.
Concept B: "Drift" offers a more dispersed layout, with multiple entry points and parking areas that connect a network of smaller, independent activity zones.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE

Spotlight on Excellence

Cape Coral Youth Council Announces 2026 Excellence Award Winners

These remarkable individuals have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication in their respective fields. They serve as inspiring role models for their peers and make significant contributions to the Cape Coral community.

The winners were honored at the Youth Council Meeting on Friday, April 10. For further inquiries about the Excellence Awards program, please contact Connie Griglin at (239) 574-0436.

Safety First

May is Water Safety Month

Drowning is the leading accidental killer of children under five and can happen quickly and silently. Most child drownings occur in residential pools, often within minutes and without proper adult supervision. Prevention relies on close supervision, safety barriers, and swim lessons.

In an emergency, start CPR immediately, call 911, and continue CPR until breathing returns or help arrives—outcomes depend on how long the child was submerged and how quickly CPR begins. Free Family and Friends CPR training is available through the Cape Coral Fire Department.

Click here to sign up!

Recreation Round-Up

Learn About Our Parks & Rec Facilities

CAPE CORAL ART CENTER

SOUTH CAPE REC CENTER

YOUTH CENTER

FOLLOW PARKS & REC

Event Recap

That’s a wrap on Bike Night! We closed out the final Bike Night of the season with great bikes, great people, and an incredible atmosphere!

Thank you to everyone who came out, showed off their rides, and made this season one to remember.

Resident Reminders

Lane Closures Begin Week of May 11 for Cape Coral Parkway East Six Lane Improvement Project

Lane closures will begin the week of Monday, May 11, on Cape Coral Parkway East between SE 15th Avenue/Cape Coral Street and Coronado Boulevard as part of the City’s Six Lane Improvement Project.

Key details:

Closures will be limited to the outside lanes of Cape Coral Parkway.
Through traffic will remain, with at least two lanes open in each direction. No detours are required.
Lane closures will occur only during off-peak hours, approximately 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are urged to use caution in the work zone and to follow posted signage and flagger directions. Additional updates on project scheduling and phasing will be provided as work progresses.

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