Picnic tables to be removed from bus stops in Cape Coral for more permanent benches

Picnic tables were installed at school bus stops to keep children safe.

The 2019 death of Layla Aiken in Cape Coral led to the push to create safer options for children who often wait in the dark for their school bus to pick them up.

Volunteers installed dozens of the tables at semi-permanent bus stops, but many people in the community say the tables have been an eyesore and are not managed properly.

Three years later, the tables have succumbed to the elements.

“That picnic table actually is a disgrace and an eyesore to the neighborhood,” said Dawn Kane, of Cape Coral.

“The one bench is broke,” said Greg McCandish. “The wood is rotted. So you know it’s not something that’s meant to last forever.”

The tables now have holes in the wood and broken benches.

The hope was that the 120 tables would be maintained when they were donated.

But now, the tables will be removed, with 62 of them displaying code enforcement notices.

The 5-day notices are on the picnic tables that are in particularly bad shape.

On the issue of responsibility of removing the tables, the city said, “If the property owner or group that placed them wants to remove it, they can. There will be no charge for removal to the homeowner once the notice date has passed. The City will simply collect the deteriorating benches. The intention is to let people know the bench will be removed so they can save it for themselves if they wish.”

The City of Cape Coral said they can move the tables on their own or they can call the city to move the tables for free.

“Whoever put it there had good intentions for being for the school kids. So you know I mean it does need to be hauled away cause it’s broke down in bad shape,” McCandlish said.

In its place, the city of Cape Coral has partnered with The Rotary Club of Cape Coral to provide longer-lasting benches.

Once the benches are installed, the city will handle the maintenance to ensure parents have no concerns and kids will be safe.

“Take them away, get rid of them and put something more permanent in their place,” McCandlish said.