Cape Coral, FL

Cape Coral is a city of 115 square miles and more than 100,000 people in Lee County, Florida. The median income for a household in the city is more than $43,000. A majority of the population of Cape Coral is retired; however, during the 1990s, there was an increase in families moving to Cape Coral-a trend that continues today.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Retail and service industries are the leading areas for employment in Cape Coral. Construction is also a large portion of Cape Coral's industry. The major employers in the city are Cape Coral City Hall, Cape Coral Hospital, Robert Ferris Lawn Care, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Whitney Information Network Inc., and Cape Coral Personnel Department.

Other than these sectors, the population is engaged in health care, educational services, accommodation and food services, professional, scientific and technical services, finance and insurance, administrative and support, and waste management services.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Cape Coral was started as a planned development in the 1950, built around a network of canals, giving many neighborhoods a waterfront feel. About three-quarters of Cape Coral houses are owner occupied. The main shopping areas are along Cape Coral Parkway, Del Prado Blvd. and Pine Island Road.

FOR VISITORS

Sun Splash Family Water Park: Slides, pools, agility, and other water fun await visitors to this local attraction, where tunnels drop the adventurous to splashy ends. For those who are even more daring, Cape Fear plummets more than 200 feet to its finish. A children's section at the water park entertains younger kids.

Cape Coral Historical Museum: Learn about the history of Cape Coral through lectures, displays of memorabilia, tours, and other educational devices when you visit the Cape Coral Historical Museum.

Cape Coral Children's Science Center: Children are invited to play with electricity, fossils, bugs, and other educational items at this hands-on museum that includes learning activities from all areas of science. From January to April, the staff hosts Astronomy Nights, which features large telescopes and experts on hand who explain the stars.

Mike Greenwell's Family Fun Park: This indoor-outdoor establishment is open rain or shine. A huge arcade keeps little ones busy for hours, with such attractions as a giant maze. For those with speed in their blood, the park offers go-karts or bumper cars. Visitors can also enjoy a family game of miniature golf or feed fish off the dock. A snack bar and playground are also available.

Cape Coral -Lee County Library: There's no better way to spend a hot afternoon than perusing aisles of books at the library. Also available at the county library are a meeting room, Internet access, microform magazine archives, and a children's department. Visitors with young children should try to stop by during a story time or other youth activity.

Rotary Park Environmental Center: This attraction invites visitors to explore wetland, ponds, slatterns, and more at the nearly 200-acre park used for growing plants, carving wood, birding, and basket weaving. Water sports are a great way to see wildlife close up, and kayaks and canoes are regularly seen in its waters.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The Cape Coral Cultural Arts Theater has been entertaining patrons for decades with comedies, musicals, dramas, and more. Each season, local actors and singers perform several unique productions. Performances are aired on Cape Coral's television station, but attending the shows live at the theater provides the full experience. The theater and players are open for children's workshops, classes, and tours.

EVENTS

Cape Coral Festival of the Arts: Cape Coral begins the year with a gathering in the name of art, with more than 85,000 people attending as tents of items for sale line Cape Coral Parkway. The weekend includes hundreds of juried artists and craftspeople, but attendees should look for business taking to the sidewalks and other sites like unicycle riders and giant bounce houses.

Cinco de Mayo Festival: To celebrate the Mexican holiday, Cape Coral closes streets for an all-out block party. In years past, thousands have come to sip Coronas and crunch tortillas; however, due to lack of sponsorship and city budget cutbacks, the fate of the festival is unknown.

Red, White & Boom: Southwest Florida's biggest fireworks display event is great for families and offers food, drink, and local crafts.

Oktoberfest: Every October, the German-American Club hosts an Oktoberfest styled after the original one in Germany. Of course, beer and kielbasa abound.

Holiday Festival of Lights: Thousands of residents stroll Cape Coral Parkway to listen to and watch performances from local schools and organizations while downtown shops and businesses remain open.

LOCAL MEDIA

Newspapers serving the Cape Coral area include:

• Cape Coral Daily Breeze
• Florida Voice Times
• Lee County Chat

• Cape Coral On The Move is a quarterly newsletter in the city, and there are also several magazines that highlight area attractions and goings-on:

• Cape Coral Entertainment
• Cape Coral Society
• Cape Coral Barometer

Cape Coral Television, channel 11, is the local television station.