Commissioner Frank Mann passed away this morning surrounded by his family.
Mann’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, July 2 at 11 am at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2439 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.
The 625-acre preserve is named for Frank Mann formerly called Greenbriar Swamp or “Section 10.”
Currently, the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement is getting the land ready by reconfiguring the mine lake into a filter marsh for stormwater treatment and a storage reservoir for flood control.
The preserve has a paddle craft launch into a lake for kayakers and paddlers. It also has options for fishers and bird-watchers. In the future, there will also be hiking trails, pavilions, and picnic tables. The park hours are from dawn to dusk.
Chairman Cecil Pendergrass made the suggestion of changing the name of the preserve.
“Commissioner Mann was a tireless advocate for the people of East Lee County and for recreational opportunities, amenities, and open spaces in District 5,” said Pendergrass. “Frank was instrumental in both the creation of the preserve and the opening earlier this year of part of the site for fishing and kayaking.”