Following recent hurricane damage, Naples City Council is moving forward with a plan to simplify many beach access points for easier restoration after storms.
City Manager Jay Boodheshwar introduced the item, suggesting the changes would give beach access points a simpler, “Old Florida” look.
"Should we consider simplifying some of our beach access points to that old Florida look? Something that’s easy to restore after storms," Boodheshwar said.
The simplified design will limit these beach access points to essential features only: paths to the beach, rules signs, trash cans, bike racks, and minimal concrete. Benches and other features will be removed, and there will be more plants instead of concrete. Bike racks, showers, and a sidewalk along the asphalt may still be added if needed.
The access points to be simplified include:
- 32nd Avenue South
- 14th Avenue South
- 13th Avenue South
- 11th Avenue South
- 10th Avenue South
- 9th Avenue South
- 4th Avenue South
- 1st Avenue South
- 1st Avenue North
- 3rd Avenue North
- 4th Avenue North
- 7th Avenue North
Councilmember Berne Barton supported these changes, saying, “We can’t go back to the way we were. We can’t have all these concrete pads. We need to pay attention to resiliency and design these beach ends to maintain our beaches properly. In my opinion, this is the right way to go — more foliage, less concrete.”
For some of the busier and more well-known beach entries, the council decided to maintain their original look. These accesses include:
- 33rd Avenue South
- 1900 Gulf Shore Boulevard South
- 18th Avenue South
- Broad Avenue South
- 7th Avenue South
- 6th Avenue South
- 5th Avenue South
- 2nd Avenue South
- Central Avenue
- 2nd Avenue North
- 6th Avenue North
- Via Miramar
- Vedado Way
- Horizon Way
- Popular spots like Lowdermilk Park, 8th Avenue South, 2100 Gordon Drive and the Naples Pier will stay as they are and are not part of this project.
The council also focused on five beach entries heavily damaged by storms, which need both structural and landscaping repairs. These entries will get repairs to sea walls, walkways, and landscaping. They include:
- North Lake
- 3rd Avenue South
- 14th Avenue South
- 15th Avenue South
- 16th Avenue South
At the 14th Avenue South entry, a broken wooden walkway currently has only a piece of caution tape as a warning. Patrick Mortiere, a visitor from California, nearly tripped and said, “There needs to be a lot more notice for something like this, especially here in Florida, where older people may not be as coordinated.”
While most council members agreed with the new plan, Mayor Teresa Heitmann was concerned about removing benches.
“I feel very uncomfortable that we’re deciding not to have benches. I’m OK with less concrete, but I think we’re making a huge mistake not having benches,” Heitmann said.
The restoration and simplification project was ultimately approved and should be completed by the first half of next year.