Park renamed for retiring director

Yarbrough Lee County Commissioners renamed Ten Mile Linear Park in honor of retiring Lee Parks & Recreation Director John Yarbrough. The park will be called John Yarbrough Linear Park.

Yarbrough has been with Lee County Parks & Recreation for 29 years, and headed the department for 20. His last day was Monday, Sept. 15.

Commissioners praised him for his visionary leadership and dedication, and credited him with leaving a legacy of diverse offerings for residents, snowbirds and tourists. Ten Mile Linear

Park, which saw its first segment open in 2005, is an example of his vision, they said.

The park features paths for skating, bicycling, running, dog-walking and picnicking that parallels Fort Myers' Ten Mile Canal near Metro Parkway. The completed portions of the park now comprise about six miles and when finished, it will extend from Colonial Boulevard to Mullock Creek in the Jamaica Bay area. The long-term plan is to connect it from the Charlotte County line to the Collier County line.

John Yarbrough Linear Park signs will be posted soon. Park hours are sunrise to sunset daily. For more information, visit www.leeparks.org or call (239) 432-2034.