From the gridiron to parks in Fort Myers, whether lacing up some cleats or cinching up a tie, Elgin Hicks carries that passion with him.
For the last two years, he's led the city of Fort Myers Parks and Recreation Department.
"I travel, and I go to other parks, and I go to the other cities, and I see a vibrant life there, and that's kind of what we're trying to bring here," Hicks said.
Like at Roberto Clemente Park along MLK Boulevard.
"We want to make the right decisions, get input from the community, and just put what put the amenities here so that they can get out and enjoy them," Hicks said.
"I come through here, like, every other day," said Rodger Leggett.
Leggett is no stranger to the park, he been coming there for more than 50 years.
"I've been here forever, so I don't want it to disappear and then like that, you know, because we need this kind of stuff," Leggett said.
In Downtown Fort Myers at Centennial Park, it's the same thing Casi Jablonski normally did in Naples, visiting with her children. To her, there is a night and day difference.
"It's very innovative, like, my kids love this little elevator. We don't have anything like that at home, and just all the climbing options and the swings actually work, and yeah, it's a beautiful place," Jablonski said. "I feel like they invest in children here, and that's so important."
That's all that Hicks wants, enjoying green space Fort Myers has to offer.
With the $75 million GO Bond that was approved in November, the possibilities are endless.
"I mean, you think about it, it come out all the icons that's came out of this area, you know, like Deion Sanders and the Jevon Kearse's and all these people who went on to do like various things we have a lot more here," Hicks said. "You see them constantly coming out and just be able to get them off the streets, you know, and give them something productive to be able to do and not just football and not just basketball and sports, but just everything, being able to enjoy the parks, being able to get into the arts, being able to just enhance whatever, whatever qualities they have."