LEHIGH ACRES
Welcome to Lehigh Acres, an ever changing and diverse community of
approximately 50,000 residents who have exchanged their more structured
lifestyles in other states, other areas in Florida and around the globe
for the enviable quality of life here.
Originally planned and developed by Lehigh Corporation, this 60,000-acre
community offers living to suit most any lifestyle, including singlefamily
homes, condominiums, apartments, townhouses and golf course villas. The
mix of retirees and young families offers a wellbalanced community of
friends and neighbors. Just 12 miles east of Ft. Myers and two-thirds of
the way down the Florida peninsula; Lehigh Acres offers ponds, lakes and
canals. The Gulf of Mexico is just 30 miles west, which means less than an
hour to some of Florida's finest beaches at Bonita Beach, Ft. Myers Beach,
Captiva and Sanibel Islands. The Caloosahatchee River stretches north and
east to Lake Okeechobee, from which boat enthusiasts enjoy a direct
channel west to the Gulf of Mexico and east to the Atlantic Ocean and
north to mid-state Florida.
Lehigh Acres is situated on the highest ground in Lee County, ranging from
27 to 30 feet above sea level. Within the community, residents enjoy year
round freshwater fishing, golf at five championship courses, biking,
tennis, walking and numerous activities at the various clubs and
organizations. Travel to and from Lehigh Acres is easily accomplished on
Lee Boulevard and Gunnery Road.
A semitropical climate may be Lehigh Acres' greatest asset. Sunny days are
the rule, and temperature extremes rarely last very long. The average
annual temperature is 74 degrees Fahrenheit, with summer highs in the low
90's and the winter lows in the high 40's. Sunshine warms the days from
December through March. Summer showers cool the air, keep the landscape a
lush green, and nourish an amazing variety of blooming plants and shrubs.
Many of the early settlers brought their best traditions with them and
established new ones. They formed local chapters of national
organizations, created clubs and civic groups, and built a strong sense of
community spirit. In addition to a state of the art 88 bed fully
accredited hospital, superior rated congregate living and nursing centers,
and five modern schools, Lehigh Acres offers expanding shopping
facilities, specialty shops, a number of banking institutions and top
supermarkets so there's really no need to shop anywhere else. Many
vacationers who explore Lehigh Acres return to settle here. The lifestyle
is casual and a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of larger urban
centers.
SPRING FESTIVAL
Many communities offer a "signature" event each year and Lehigh is no
exception. The emphasis of the Lehigh Acres Spring Festival is on broad
based participation guaranteed to bring out the best from the newest to
the oldest residents.
While the schedule varies from year to year, it has always included a
"main street" parade and a carnival midway with food, games and rides. A
sampling of what you might enjoy includes baking, canning, gardening
competitions, bubble gum blowing contest, pet and tug of war contests and
a traditional beauty pageant.
A high point of the Spring Festival is a five-mile run sponsored by Lehigh
Regional Medical Center, which attracts entrants from across Southwest
Florida. The Grand Parade following the run leads bands, fire engines,
floats, kids, veterans and "Pioneer Family" representatives through
downtown Lehigh Acres to the stage area in Veteran's Park located on South
Homestead Road. Trophies and other awards are presented at the end of the
parade. The weeklong event features different themes of entertainment each
night.
Lehigh Acres is a residential community, built on a base of families who
enjoy the climate, the cost of living and the general atmosphere. All are
welcomed as visitors or new neighbors. Whatever your questions, we will
try to respond promptly and accurately. You can reach the Lehigh Acres
Chamber of Commerce by mail at P. O. Box 757, Lehigh Acres, FL 33970-0757
or by phone at 239-369-3322. Visit us on the web at www.lehighchamber.com,.
You may also come by our office located at 4109 Lee Boulevard ¼ mile east
of Gunnery Road.
EDUCATION
Three elementary, two middle schools and one high school serve students
within the community. Students are also able to pick a school of choice
within Lee County on an "as available basis." A charter school is in the
planning stages for Lehigh Acres as is a fourth elementary school.
The Lee County School Board is responsible for the public school system.
Entering students must present a birth certificate, physical fitness
report and proof of current immunizations. For students transferring into
this system a transfer document from the previous school is necessary.
Winter residents may enroll their children by either paying $50 or showing
proof of Florida domicile. Winter students entering kindergarten or first
grade for the first time must present a birth certificate, health form and
immunization proof from a Florida physician.
Residents who wish to begin or continue working toward a college degree
may attend classes at Edison Community College and/or the University of
South Florida, Barry University and International College. Florida Gulf
Coast University just 10 miles south of Lehigh Acres is Florida's newest
four-year university.
CHILD CARE & DAY
CARE NURSERIES
Several centers and churches throughout Lehigh Acres provide care and
education for infants and other youngsters. They include the following:
Bell Boulevard Child Care, Faith Lutheran Learning Village (accredited),
Harvest Temple Children's Academy, Child Care of SW Florida and Lehigh
Child Care Center.
Please check with these facilities for ages and programs available.
RECREATION
Lee County Parks and Recreation offers a wide variety of programs and
facilities for the citizens and visitors of Lee County. The main facility
in Lehigh Acres is located at 1400 West 5th Street and has a pool as well
as five baseball diamonds, tennis courts, summer camps and other
opportunities for the whole family, including grills, picnic tables,
playground equipment, and food concessions. There are new baseball
facilities at Veteran's Park as well. High School students may sign up to
volunteer at the park by calling Eve Sisson at 239-461-7440. Businesses
may sponsor programs and events. For information about sponsorship,
contact Jeanne Hopkins at 239-461-7440. In addition, there is a Community
Center located at 1299 Homestead Road open Monday through Saturday. Call
369- 1521 for more details.
HEALTH CARE
Lehigh Acres is fortunate to have a full-service hospital in the center of
its community. Lehigh Regional Medical Center has just undergone a $4
million overhaul that includes new services, new equipment and a complete
renovation of the hospital facilities. The hospital has a 24-hour
Emergency Department staffed with board certified physicians who can
handle emergencies from heart attacks and strokes to broken ankles and
stitches.
In addition, Lehigh Regional Medical Center offers a full line of
Radiology Services including CT scans, MRI, bone density testing,
mammograms, nuclear medicine studies, ultrasound and more.
Other services at the hospital include the surgical services, same day
surgery, acute care and intensive care units, Stork's Landing Birthing
Suites, pediatrics, physical therapy and a full line of laboratory
services.
Lehigh Regional Medical Center is an 88-bed hospital that is fully
accredited by JCAHO - the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care
Organizations. Physicians on staff offer dozens of specialties such as
orthopedic surgery, pulmonology, rheumatology, podiatry, cardiology,
pediatrics, family care and many others.
For more information on Lehigh Regional Medical Center, call 239-369-2101.
The community also offers Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics
Anonymous, Weight Watchers, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Widowed Persons
Service and other self help groups for those who seek support for
themselves and family members.
Cross Key Manor and Sterling House, nursing and assisted living facilities
have superior ratings from the State of Florida, offering three levels of
care from daily living assistance to skilled nursing care with emergency
medical services and specialized care.
Ambulance service is provided throughout the community by the Lehigh Acres
Fire Control & Rescue District (phone 911). Paramedics staff each mobile
unit with direct telecommunications links to the hospital.
LIBRARY
The East County Regional Library offers more than 126,000 volumes plus
audio and videocassettes in a 45,000 square foot area located on Gunnery
Road adjacent to Lehigh Senior High School. Additional resources include
40 computers for public use and 10 in the youth bay, audio equipment,
photocopying and a meeting room - available to members. There are
in-season cultural programs for adults and a summer reading program for
children.