Access to Jaycee Park is no longer.
A fence wraps around the entire park, and it will stay that way until the fall of 2025, as the city begins renovating it.
Those who have been fighting against the park protested this morning, while others came to the edge of the park, sharing their excitement for the updates.
Jaycee Park is typically a place where people soak up the views, enjoy time with the people they love and walk around.
Cape Coral resident Kathe Lopez meets with her friends at Jaycee Park every day. She came to protest on Tuesday.
"Heartbroken," Lopez said. "Totally heartbroken. How could they do this?"
Cape Coral City Council has faced backlash ever since they introduced the plan to make changes to Jaycee Park.
The city said it adjusted its plans based on feedback, but Lopez said she doesn't think that's true.
"We've been fighting for a year and a half, and we get nowhere," Lopez said. "We're like bugs to be stepped on."
The final additions include a boat dock, pavilions, a band shell and a food truck court. Other renovations include making a walkway close to the river and the removal of the invasive Australian pine trees.
Thor Hmielswski and Steve Wissman both live across the street from the park. Wissman said he thinks his property value will go up.
Hmielswski sees the benefits, too.
"Potentially, they could draw more people to this area," he said. "The city council did bend a little bit from the people that were against it and decide to put more trees and turn it into somewhat of a green space, versus it just being food trucks and bars."
The city said they have a permit for the construction fence that's up, and they have applied for the South Florida Water Management District permit that would allow them to start making big changes inside.