Estero’s Variety Club offers recreation for adults with disabilities

Lee County’s Variety Club, a social and recreation program for adults with disabilities expanded for fall 2026. Members can now access the club at two locations, in Fort Myers and in Estero.

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The Variety Club, offered through Lee County Parks & Recreation since 2009, has been based at the Karl J. Drews Community Center in Fort Myers.

“As the needs of our community have changed, we saw an opportunity to expand the program into our community recreation centers,” Tim Engstrom of Lee County Government said in an email.

The program is now available at Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms off Estero Blvd and North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 North Recreation Park Way, but no longer at Karl J. Drews.

Here’s what we know:

• Variety Club serves adults ages 18 and older with disabilities who are no longer in school.
• The program is offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $20 per month.
• There is a registration and approval process.
• A one-time $10 lifetime Lee County Parks & Recreation membership is required.
• Transportation is not provided; participants needing assistance may contact LeeTran Passport at 239-533-0300.
• Variety Club offers a mix of social, recreational, fitness and community-based activities which may include arts and crafts, games, physical activities, music, swimming, community outings and field trips.

The goals are for participants to build friendships, stay active, learn new skills, explore the community and, “most importantly, feel welcomed and included,” Engstrom said.

Lee County Parks & Recreation Department staff “looked at community need, accessibility and where we were seeing interest,” Engstrom said.

The bonus about the community centers is that club members will have access to existing programs there.

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“We’re not just moving Variety Club to two new buildings, we’re expanding what is possible for the people we serve,” Engstrom said. “We want adults with disabilities to know that they belong in our recreation centers, they are welcome in our programs, and there are opportunities throughout Lee County for them to be active, social and connected.”

J. Kyle Foster is a senior growth & development reporter for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach her by emailing [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Estero’s Variety Club offers recreation for adults with disabilities

Reporting by J. Kyle Foster, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press

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This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 5:01 AM.