LEHIGH ACRES
Welcome to Lehigh Acres, an ever changing and diverse community of approximately 80,000 residents who have exchanged their more structured lifestyles in other states, other areas in Florida and around the globe for the enviable quality of life here.
Originally planned and developed by Lehigh Corporation, this 60,000-acre community offers living to suit most any lifestyle, including singlefamily homes, condominiums, apartments, townhouses and golf course villas. The mix of retirees and young families offers a wellbalanced community of friends and neighbors. Just 12 miles east of Ft. Myers and two-thirds of the way down the Florida peninsula; Lehigh Acres offers ponds, lakes and canals. The Gulf of Mexico is just 30 miles west, which means less than an hour to some of Florida's finest beaches at Bonita Beach, Ft. Myers Beach, Captiva and Sanibel Islands. The Caloosahatchee River stretches north and east to Lake Okeechobee, from which boat enthusiasts enjoy a direct channel west to the Gulf of Mexico and east to the Atlantic Ocean and north to mid-state Florida.
Lehigh Acres is situated on the highest ground in Lee County, ranging from 27 to 30 feet above sea level. Within the community, residents enjoy year round freshwater fishing, golf at five championship courses, biking, tennis, walking and numerous activities at the various clubs and organizations. Travel to and from Lehigh Acres is easily accomplished on Lee Boulevard and Gunnery Road.
A semitropical climate may be Lehigh Acres' greatest asset. Sunny days are the rule, and temperature extremes rarely last very long. The average annual temperature is 74 degrees Fahrenheit, with summer highs in the low 90's and the winter lows in the high 40's. Sunshine warms the days from December through March. Summer showers cool the air, keep the landscape a lush green, and nourish an amazing variety of blooming plants and shrubs.
Many of the early settlers brought their best traditions with them and established new ones. They formed local chapters of national organizations, created clubs and civic groups, and built a strong sense of community spirit. In addition to a state of the art 88 bed fully accredited hospital, superior rated congregate living and nursing centers, and five modern schools, Lehigh Acres offers expanding shopping facilities, specialty shops, a number of banking institutions and top supermarkets so there's really no need to shop anywhere else. Many vacationers who explore Lehigh Acres return to settle here. The lifestyle is casual and a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of larger urban centers.

THE LEHIGH SPRING FESTIVAL
Many communities offer a "signature" event each year and Lehigh is no exception. The emphasis of the Lehigh Acres Spring Festival is on broad based participation guaranteed to bring out the best from the newest to the oldest residents.
While the schedule varies from year to year, it has always included a "main street" parade and a carnival midway with food, games and rides. A sampling of what you might enjoy includes baking, canning, gardening competitions, bubble gum blowing contest, pet and tug of war contests and a traditional beauty pageant.
A high point of the Spring Festival is a five-mile run sponsored by Lehigh Regional Medical Center, which attracts entrants from across Southwest Florida. The Grand Parade following the run leads bands, fire engines, floats, kids, veterans and "Pioneer Family" representatives through downtown Lehigh Acres to the stage area in Veteran's Park located on South Homestead Road. Trophies and other awards are presented at the end of the parade. The weeklong event features different themes of entertainment each night.
Lehigh Acres is a residential community, built on a base of families who enjoy the climate, the cost of living and the general atmosphere. All are welcomed as visitors or new neighbors. Whatever your questions, we will try to respond promptly and accurately. You can reach the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce by mail at P. O. Box 757, Lehigh Acres, FL 33970-0757 or by phone at 239-369-3322. Visit us on the web at www.lehighchamber.com,. You may also come by our office located at 4109 Lee Boulevard ¼ mile east of Gunnery Road.

EDUCATION
Three elementary, two middle schools and one high school serve students within the community. Students are also able to pick a school of choice within Lee County on an "as available basis." A charter school is in the planning stages for Lehigh Acres as is a fourth elementary school.
The Lee County School Board is responsible for the public school system. Entering students must present a birth certificate, physical fitness report and proof of current immunizations. For students transferring into this system a transfer document from the previous school is necessary. Winter residents may enroll their children by either paying $50 or showing proof of Florida domicile. Winter students entering kindergarten or first grade for the first time must present a birth certificate, health form and immunization proof from a Florida physician.
Residents who wish to begin or continue working toward a college degree may attend classes at Edison Community College and/or the University of South Florida, Barry University and International College. Florida Gulf Coast University just 10 miles south of Lehigh Acres is Florida's newest four-year university.

CHILD CARE & DAY
CARE NURSERIES
Several centers and churches throughout Lehigh Acres provide care and education for infants and other youngsters. They include the following:
Bell Boulevard Child Care, Faith Lutheran Learning Village (accredited), Harvest Temple Children's Academy, Child Care of SW Florida and Lehigh Child Care Center.
Please check with these facilities for ages and programs available.

RECREATION
Lee County Parks and Recreation offers a wide variety of programs and facilities for the citizens and visitors of Lee County. The main facility in Lehigh Acres is located at 1400 West 5th Street and has a pool as well as five baseball diamonds, tennis courts, summer camps and other opportunities for the whole family, including grills, picnic tables, playground equipment, and food concessions. There are new baseball facilities at Veteran's Park as well. High School students may sign up to volunteer at the park by calling Eve Sisson at 239-461-7440. Businesses may sponsor programs and events. For information about sponsorship, contact Jeanne Hopkins at 239-461-7440. In addition, there is a Community Center located at 1299 Homestead Road open Monday through Saturday. Call 369- 1521 for more details.

HEALTH CARE
Lehigh Acres is fortunate to have a full-service hospital in the center of its community. The hospital has a 24-hour Emergency Department staffed with board certified physicians who can handle emergencies from heart attacks and strokes to broken ankles and stitches.
In addition, Lehigh Regional Medical Center offers a full line of Radiology Services including CT scans, MRI, bone density testing, mammograms, nuclear medicine studies, ultrasound and more.
Other services at the hospital include the surgical services, same day surgery, acute care and intensive care units, wound care, pediatrics, physical therapy and a full line of laboratory services.
Lehigh Regional Medical Center is an 88-bed hospital that is fully accredited by JCAHO - the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.All major specialties and sub-specialties are represented by the physicians on staff including Physicians on staff family practice, internal medicine, general surgery, including dozens of specialties such as orthopedic surgery, pulmonology, rheumatology, podiatry, cardiology, pediatrics, family care and many others.
For more information on Lehigh Regional Medical Center, call 239-369-2101. The community also offers Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Weight Watchers, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Widowed Persons Service and other self help groups for those who seek support for themselves and family members.


Cross Key Manor and Sterling House, nursing and assisted living facilities have superior ratings from the State of Florida, offering three levels of care from daily living assistance to skilled nursing care with emergency medical services and specialized care.
Ambulance service is provided throughout the community by the Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District (phone 911). Paramedics staff each mobile unit with direct telecommunications links to the hospital.

LIBRARY
The East County Regional Library offers more than 126,000 volumes plus audio and videocassettes in a 45,000 square foot area located on Gunnery Road adjacent to Lehigh Senior High School. Additional resources include 40 computers for public use and 10 in the youth bay, audio equipment, photocopying and a meeting room - available to members. There are in-season cultural programs for adults and a summer reading program for children.

ACCOMMODATIONS
The Admiral Lehigh Golf features a variety of villa and resort accommodations. It also offers two 18-hole championship golf courses, lighted tennis courts, a conference center, as well as a pub and restaurant equally popular with guests and community residents. The Lehigh Resort Club (a time-share) is adjacent.
Throughout the community there are apartments, condominiums, duplexes, homes and villas available by the month, season or year. The Chamber of Commerce is able to send a list of real estate agents or realty firms that maintain current rental data. Homebuilders in the community range from small, independent custom contractors to larger local and regional firms. The cost of a single family home ranges from about $70,000 upwards. Most homes are multi-bedroom, multi-bath models on quarteracre to half-acres lots. Lehigh Acres is not zoned for mobile homes.

UTILITIES
Florida Recycling Services provides solid waste disposal and recycling services. Florida Water Services provides water and sewage disposal. Bal Gas/Teco Propane is the provider for gas. Both Lee County Electric Coop and Florida Power & Light supply electric power. Sprint provides telecommunications.

MEDIA
The Lehigh Acres Citizen and The Lehigh Acres News Star are published twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays and are distributed free within the community upon request. The Fort Myers News Press is available via subscription for daily and/or weekend delivery. Comcast Cable offers cable service with basic and premium channels available.
More than 30 radio stations within range include all major networks and PBS in a broad spectrum of programming formats.

TAXES
Lehigh Acres is currently unincorporated and at this time, there are no municipal taxes. The county tax collector operates a local office in the Lee Boulevard Shopping Center where you can process the following transactions: auto license plates and stickers; boat, fishing, hunting and occupational licenses; and property tax bills. Permanent Florida homeowners as of January 1 may file for a $25,000 homestead exemption, a $500 veteran's disability exemption and/or widow's/widower's exemption. One must apply in person between January 1 and March 1 at any branch of the property appraiser's offices. For more information and locations, call 239-339- 6100.
Florida has no state income tax. The state sales tax of six percent exempts groceries, medicines and professional services. There is a low state tax on intangibles such as stocks, bonds and out of state mortgages. Florida residents pay no state inheritance tax unless an estate is federally taxable, when the state tax collects the allowable deduction from the federal tax.

TRANSPORTATION
The quickest access to Lehigh Acres is via Interstate 75, which stretches south along Florida's Gulf Coast to Naples, then east at Alligator Alley toward Fort Lauderdale. Exits 141 and 143 just east of Fort Myers are just 12 miles from our central downtown area. Another popular route from the north is US Route 27 through Central Florida to just south of Palmdale. Take State Road 29 to LaBelle, then west on State Road 80 to State Road 884, then south on Joel Boulevard into the heart of Lehigh Acres. Public transportation is available throughout Lehigh Acres.
For air travelers, Southwest Florida International Airport is less than 10 minutes away by car. Most major domestic carriers and several commuter lines, as well as several Canadian and European carriers serve the airport. The current terminal features covered jetbridge passenger access, short-term, long-term and economy parking lots, and offsite shuttle parking for holiday travelers. Ticket counters, baggage claim areas and two visitor information centers are located at ground level, while concourses, waiting areas, shops and car rental counters are on the second level. A new mid-field terminal is under construction, to be completed in 2005.

ADULT DAY CARE
The Senior Friendship Center, in the Community Health Association building at 9 Beth Stacey Boulevard, serves residents age 60 or over with mental and/or physical disabilities. It operates as a not-for-profit organization under Community Care for the Elderly Program with funding from Medicaid Waiver, the State, private contributions, and a sliding scale based on ability to pay. In addition to peer companionship, clients enjoy crafts and other activities as well as a daily hot lunch. An ADC bus provides roundtrip transportation.

HUMAN SERVICES
Lehigh Community Services is a not-for-profit, locally funded organization established to help residents with personal or family emergencies, with electric power, food, rent and referrals to appropriate agencies in Lee County. The office located at 9 Beth Stacey Boulevard, provides space for visiting agencies as Florida Legal Services, Lee County Social Services, Lee Mental Health, Medicare, Veterans Services and U. S. Government Surplus Food and the Lehigh Acres Social Service Center.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Residents have quick access to emergency assistance from fire, police and rescue personnel via 911 on the telephone. Calling that number from any point in Lee County brings an immediate response.
Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District is supported by local taxes. It operates from three fire stations - on Gunnery Road, on Homestead Road, and on Joel Boulevard. A fourth station is planned for a Bell Boulevard site. District Headquarters is at the Joel Boulevard facility where the board of commissioners meets monthly.
Each vehicle has advanced life support capabilities. All firefighters have been crosstrained as either paramedics or emergency medical technicians.
Lee County Sheriff's office provides the community with a well-trained force of deputies who work from the District 2 office on Homestead Road. This central location geographically offers the opportunity to access all parts of Lehigh Acres in a short time. We also have the benefit of first-rate emergency service and fire protection.
Many residents are active in programs designated as sheriff-community partnerships. One activity is Volunteer Observers Impacting Community Effort (VOICE), with more than 100 adults participating. Another is STOP Watch. STOP means Safety Through Observation Patrol - which works with teens and neighborhood groups.
The sheriff also provides on-premises resource officers at Lehigh Acres Middle and Lehigh Senior High Schools and conducts programs at each local elementary school.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES
The Lehigh Acres Ministerial Association sponsors many activities including joint services at Easter sunrise and Thanksgiving. The association also conducts daily visitations to patients at Lehigh Regional Medical Center. Individual congregations offer many activities and group functions for all age groups. Check this directory for a listing of all the houses of worship in Lehigh Acres.

SERVICE CLUBS
Lehigh Acres has well organized Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs. There are also chapters of Masons, Elks, Moose Lodge and the Eagles.

THE ARTS
Within a short commute, live theater, musicals, ballet and symphony concerts are plentiful from September through May. In the summer, there are several live theater presentations as well as dinner theater year round. Lehigh Acres is proud of its own vocal group, The Lehigh Singers.
This chorus performs several times during the year. Currently no audition is necessary and it is open to anyone over the age of seventeen. Rehearsals begin in August and carry through early May of each year. The Southwest Florida Symphony, a regional orchestra, performs in Ft. Myers.

SENIOR CENTER
The Lehigh Acres Senior Center, on Plaza Drive behind the Community Building and just off Homestead Road is a year-round beehive of activity. Educational classes include such subjects as home economics, languages, memory, music, dancing and writing. Seminars and lectures from resident and visiting experts cover many aspects of Florida living. Visiting performers offer a wide variety of entertainment, and daily activities include billiards, blood pressure checks, card games and shuffleboard. Members must be Lehigh Acres residents, at least 55 years of age, and pay a nominal fee for annual dues. For married couples, only one spouse must meet the age requirement but both must join in order to use the facilities.

VOTER REGISTRATION
Residents of Lehigh Acres are eligible to vote if they are a permanent resident age 18 or older and a U.S. citizen. Eligible residents may pick up voter registration applications at the Chamber of Commerce or the Tax Collector's office. The Supervisor of Elections for Lee County may be reached at 239-339-6300.