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Lee County's Manatee Park offers warm refuge for sea cows

WGCU | By Andrea Melendez
Published January 5, 2024 at 4:45 PM EST
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
Andrea Melendez
/
WGCU
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street.
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
1 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
2 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
3 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
4 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
5 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
6 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
7 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
8 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
9 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
10 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Manatee come up for air, float and rub up against each other. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
11 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
12 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Families and manatee lovers lined the fence to get a glimpse of the manatee at Manatee Park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Kayakers on the Caloosahatchee river were looking for a siting of the manatee that were swimming just outside the park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
13 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Kayakers on the Caloosahatchee river were looking for a siting of the manatee that were swimming just outside the park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Kayakers on the Caloosahatchee river were looking for a siting of the manatee that were swimming just outside the park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
14 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Kayakers on the Caloosahatchee river were looking for a siting of the manatee that were swimming just outside the park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM
Kayakers on the Caloosahatchee river were looking for a siting of the manatee that were swimming just outside the park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
15 of 15  — WGCUmanatee010524AM
Kayakers on the Caloosahatchee river were looking for a siting of the manatee that were swimming just outside the park. The water at Manatee Park in Fort Myers was filled with manatees looking to stay warm in the warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street. The warm water is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment. Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.
WGCU104Newberry1223823AM

The water at Lee County's Manatee Park is normally filled with manatees looking for a less frigid refuge during the cooler months of Southwest Florida's year.

The warm water just down from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across State Road 80 is created as a byproduct of cooling off the utility company's power-generating equipment.

Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Open every day, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to sunset.

The manatee frolic in the warm waters at Manatee Park

There is also a web cam on the park web site.

The large aquatic mammals visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). Winter months make for the best viewing.

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Andrea Melendez
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