26 Sep 2025

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks vendors, invites the community to Trunk or Treat, from 3pm-5pm, at the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District is seeking vendors and invites the community to Trunk or Treat at the W.P. Franklin South Lock and Dam Recreation Area near Alva. The event will take place in the Visitor Center parking lot on the afternoon of Saturday, October 25, from 3 p.m. through 5 p.m.

19 Oct 2023

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the community to Trunk or Treat at the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area for fun and wooden pumpkin painting Saturday evening, Oct. 28

ALVA, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District invites the community to Trunk or Treat at the W.P. Franklin South Lock and Dam Recreation Area near Alva. The event will take place in the Visitor Center parking lot on the evening of Saturday, October 28, from 5 p.m. through 7 p.m. “We are excited to host our very own Trunk or Treat at the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area this year,” said Megan Parsons, Natural Resources Specialist. “We welcome the community to come out and join us for some Halloween fun! You can volunteer to decorate your car trunk or truck, and give out candy, or bring your children to join in the festivities and paint some wooden pumpkins. This event will be fun for the whole family!”

15 Sep 2022

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites volunteers to plant trees at W.P. Franklin Recreation Area on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 24

ALVA, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District invites the public to participate in a day of service at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam Recreation Area near Alva on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24, from 7:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. Activities include planting close to 3,000 native trees to reforest open land, provide habitat restoration and educational opportunities for the local community. “We welcome volunteers of all ages to help us plant trees in an effort to reforest roughly 8.5 acres of land to create a natural Hardwood Hammock habitat at the W.P. Franklin Recreation Area as part of our Engineering with Nature Program,” said Col. James Booth, Jacksonville District Commander. This is the first of several opportunities that will be available to members of the local community who would like to volunteer to plant and restore native canopy and understory plants and grasses in an open area at the W.P. Franklin Recreation Area.”

17 Apr 2018

W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area beach closed for swimming

The Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed the beach at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area for swimming because of concerns about water quality. The beach remains open for sunbathing and recreational activities other than swimming.

4 May 2017

W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area beach closed for swimming

The Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed the beach at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area for swimming due to concerns about water quality. The beach remains open for sunbathing and recreational activities other than swimming.

20 May 2016

Corps suspends swimming activities at Franklin Recreation Area

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District has temporarily suspended swimming and other water activities at the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area located near Fort Myers due to the presence of blue-green algae.

1 Sep 2011

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reopens swimming beach at W.P. Franklin Lock South Recreation Area

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has reopened the swimming beach at W. P. Franklin South Recreation Area and expects families to hit the beach for some fun in the sun this Labor Day weekend.

8 Jun 2011

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District closes swimming beach at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has closed the swimming beach at W. P. Franklin South Recreation Area due to unsafe river conditions.