Lakes Park is all aglow in the holiday spirit, courtesy of volunteers from Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach. The team members helped transform the park’s miniature train ride into the Holiday Express, creating a mile-long winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday decorations.
“This is the third year our employees have volunteered for holiday decorating at Lakes Park,” said Ryan Cook, the restaurant’s general manager. “They really enjoy the opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way.”
Lakes Park in Fort Myers is a frequent recipient of the restaurant’s community support. Groups from Doc Ford’s also decorated the park for Halloween and the restaurant sponsored the annual Scarecrow Trail during the Fall Festival in October. Team members also created a scarecrow for the trail and have built a miniature replica of Doc Ford’s Fort Myers Beach restaurant for the village along the train route.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is owned and operated by HM Restaurant Group, which has a long history of philanthropy and community outreach, assisting local charitable groups committed to conservation, community, education and the environment. With locations on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Jungle Terrace and the St. Petersburg Pier, the restaurants have donated over $133,000 to the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers and John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg through $1 donations from the sale of select cocktails.
The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament has raised over $1.57 million for conservation and water-quality research at Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The 14th annual tournament is May 15, 2026.
Renowned for its legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The award-winning restaurant offers food with a unique balance of flavors inspired by the Caribbean Rim. Beloved for its sauces, spices and signature Yucatán shrimp served daily, Doc Ford’s is highly regarded by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant. Established on Sanibel in 2003, the restaurant is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The St. Petersburg Pier location was named the nation’s No. 1 restaurant for Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023.
