Clearing begins for Lovers Key State Park discovery center

1 / 5

This stangler fig was one of the casualties of the clearing at Lovers Key State Park for a new welcome and discovery center. NATHAN MAYBERG

2 / 5

This stangler fig was one of the casualties of the clearing at Lovers Key State Park for a new welcome and discovery center. NATHAN MAYBERG

3 / 5

Trees have been cleared for a $4 million welcome and discovery center approved by the state legislature for Lovers Key State Park. The project was championed by the Friends of Lovers Key, who are fundraising for an additional $1.5 million to furbish the inside of the center. NATHAN MAYBERG

4 / 5

These palm trees were uprooted for the new welcome and discovery center at Lovers Key State Park. NATHAN MAYBERG

5 / 5

These trees will remain at the project site for the new welcome and discovery center at Lovers Key State Park according to the contractor for the project, Owen-Ames-Kimball Company. NATHAN MAYBERG

[expand]

close

Contractors have started clearing land and some trees to build a $4 million discovery and education center on the grounds of Lovers Key State Park.

The center is being constructed at the back end of the park’s overflow parking area.

The state legislature approved funding to construct the project while the nonprofit organization Friends of Lovers Key has pledged to fundraise $1.5 million to fill the center with an educational exhibition hall, observation deck, sculpture, bookstore, gallery and 1,500 square-foot community room with a catering kitchen.

The construction is being overseen by Owen-Ames-Kimball Company of Fort Myers. They have put in silt fencing around the project area and pulled out some trees including a strangler fig, sea grape tree and palm trees. A few trees are being left around the site of where the foundation will be for the building. The parking lot will be redone. The construction of the building is expected to be completed by October.