FORT MYERS, FL (October 19, 2013) – The community spirit is alive and well for nearly 65 Johnson Engineering employees, families, friends, the Friends of Lover’s Key (FOLKS) and park staff.  This dedicated group pitched in on Saturday, October 19th, at 9 a.m. for the 11th consecutive year.   This group volunteered their time to preserve one of Florida’s natural gems, the park which bears our founder’s name, Carl E. Johnson/Lovers Key State Park.

This is an opportunity for Johnson Engineering employees to make a difference in the community while also paying tribute to our Company’s founder, Carl E. Johnson. Johnson Engineering’s Coastal Cleanup began in 2003 in honor of Carl E. Johnson, whose efforts in the late 1960’s, played a major role in making this popular recreational area a reality. He conceived the idea of connecting the islands with a causeway from the south end of Fort Myers Beach to Bonita Beach, helped get most of the land donated from several large landowners, surveyed and designed the road, overcoming a variety of obstacles along the way. Today, Lovers Key/Carl E. Johnson State Park has become a world famous tourist destination.

Our employees are proud of their roots and intrigued by the historical connection, so they come together each year to do their part in keeping the park looking its best. Teams dedicated the morning to cleaning and fixing up numerous areas throughout the park including building recycle bins, replacing kiosk roofing, construction of bridge handrails, constructing protected area rope fencing, trail trimming, and planting. After the morning’s efforts, we enjoy a BBQ lunch in the beach pavilion.

Our efforts not only support Lovers Key State Park by keeping it looking its best for their many visitors, but we also were supported by local Fort Myers Beach businesses. We established relationships with Greater Fort Myers Beach businesses that sponsor our event by providing raffle items. As raffle prizes not only enticed our employees to volunteer; they also encouraged our local employees to patron the Fort Myers Beach businesses.  This year the Fort Myers Beach raffle sponsors were, Bayfront Bistro, Estero Bay Express II, The Fish House, Matanzas Inn Restaurant, and the Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise. Our BBQ lunch was also be provided from the local Fort Myers beach restaurant Truly Scrumptious.

This annual effort was also previously recognized by The Friends of Florida State Parks with the Outstanding Volunteer Team of the Year Award for exceptional service and support.

For more information, visit the News-Press to view video of the event: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013310200041.