Lovers Key State Park is a 712-acre (2.88 km2) Florida State Park located on Lover's Key and three other barrier islands—Black Island, Inner and Long Key. It is at 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, between Big Carlos Pass and New Pass and 10.5 miles (16.9 km) west of Interstate 75 on exit 116. The park lies within the city limits of Bonita Springs and is just north of Bonita Beach. The park uses a Fort Myers Beach zip code for address purposes.[1]

Lovers Key State Park
Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Map showing the location of Lovers Key State Park
Map showing the location of Lovers Key State Park
Map showing the location of Lovers Key State Park
Map showing the location of Lovers Key State Park
LocationLee County, Florida, United States
Nearest cityBonita Springs, Florida
Coordinates26°23′38″N 81°52′44″W / 26.39389°N 81.87889°W / 26.39389; -81.87889
Area712 acres (2.88 km2)
Governing bodyFlorida Department of Environmental Protection

Activities include shelling, swimming, picnicking, boating, and sunbathing, as well as canoeing/kayaking, hiking, bicycling and wildlife viewing. Among the wildlife of the park are West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, marsh rabbits, and over 40 bird species, including roseate spoonbills, osprey, snowy egret, bald eagles, and American kestrel. Black Island has woodpeckers, hawks, owls and warblers.

Amenities include a two-mile (3 km) long beach on Lovers Key. Black Island has over five miles (8 km) of multiuse trails; bicycle, canoe, and kayak rentals, gazebo, picnic areas, boat ramp, and two playgrounds. The park is open from 8:00 am till sundown year-round. A welcome and discovery centre operates on Black Island with seasonally changing hours, exhibits include displays on the park's habitats and the human history of the park.

The park was heavily impacted by the Hurricane Ian which struck on September 28, 2022. Heavy rains, high wind, and roughly 15-18ft of storm surge left the park devastated. Due to repeated storm damage, a section of the park will be converted to section 8 housing to help combat Florida's affordable housing crises.

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References

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  1. ^ "Lovers Key State Park A LOVELY LOCATION WITH AN UNTARNISHED TWO-MILE STRETCH OF BEACH". Retrieved December 12, 2021.
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