On Saturday October 21, 2017 more than 100 Johnson Engineering employees, family and friends, volunteered Saturday morning, for the company’s 15^th consecutive year cleaning and fixing up of Lovers Key/Carl E. Johnson State Park, the park which bears their founder’s name. This annual came at a much needed time, as the park was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Irma.

This is an opportunity for Johnson Engineering employees to make a difference in the community, while also paying tribute to the 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 1960s, 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.

The company’s 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. The teams dedicate the morning to cleaning and fixing up numerous areas throughout the park including repairing privacy fence blown down by Hurricane Irma, replacing wheelchair ramp planks, constructing rope fencing, repairing the canoe launch, painting, roadway and trail trimming.

The volunteer’s efforts not only support Lovers Key State Park by keeping it looking its best for many visitors, but as a company we also choose to support the local Fort Myers Beach businesses. Throughout the years we have established relationships with Fort Myers Beach businesses who sponsor our event by providing raffle items. As raffle prizes entice our employees to volunteer, they are also a great way to encourage local employees to patron the Fort Myers Beach businesses. Our raffle sponsors this year were the Wyndham Garden Fort Myers Beach hotel, Matanzas Inn Fort Myers Beach Bayside Resort, Pierside Grill & Famous Blowfish Bar, Charley’s Boat House, and Truly Scrumptious.

This annual event’s volunteer efforts were previously recognized by The Friends of Florida State Parks with the Outstanding Volunteer Team of the Year Award for exceptional service and support.