Jaycee Park construction brings new lights to Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Jaycee Park in Cape Coral is undergoing a $12 million renovation, with new lights being tested this week as part of the city's efforts to enhance the park's facilities, including handrails and underground plumbing.

Steve Wissman, a local resident, expressed his satisfaction with the lighting, saying, "Hey, the lights are on, the lights are on, and they look awesome." He added, "At night, it's unreal because you can still see the water, but it's not like a football field or a baseball field. It's not super bright. It's just enough to see and enjoy."

Wissman noted that the city has been testing the lights since Monday, describing them as "downward lighting. It's LED, they're toned down, and it's just enough but not too much."

The park's renovation plan was supposed to be completed last year, but there were delays with the project.

Daryl Brock, another resident, expressed frustration with the project's delays, stating, "They should have had it done by the first of the year as was promised."

Despite the setbacks, the city is making progress with the playground completed, outdoor furniture being installed, trees being planted, and a new boardwalk overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. The city anticipates the park will open in April.

Mayor John Gunter shared his enthusiasm, saying, "It's really going to be a gem of the city. Probably one of the nicest parks, in my opinion, that will have here in Cape Coral."

Some neighbors expressed dissatisfaction off-camera about the city's handling of their concerns regarding the redesign, but they are now waiting to see how traffic and new crowds will impact the area.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.