Naples, Marco Island beaches to reopen Thursday

Marco Island and Naples will open beaches on Thursday. Marco will also open its parks on Friday, just in time for the weekend.

In Naples, the city council voted Wednesday to reopen the beaches and city parks Thursday morning.

The pier will remain closed, as will some concessions. Parking lots will open with meters enforced.

Naples’ city parks will open under tier one of reopening, including restrooms as long as staff is able to accommodate cleaning.

Tennis and pickleball courts, as well as sports fields associated with parks, will also reopen.

Naples police and beach patrol will be out to enforce social distancing.

As long as COVID-19 cases continue to decline, the city is expected to ease into lifting restrictions, starting with the opening of beaches.

More than 50 people wrote into the city council ahead of Wednesday’s meeting. Some are concerned that loosening restrictions will spread the virus, and others say businesses are barely hanging on, so the city should open up as soon as possible.

CITY OF NAPLES PRESS RELEASE:

The City of Naples City Council acted today by reopening the City beaches and parks beginning at dawn tomorrow, April 30, 2020.  The details of the openings include:

The City of Naples beaches will be reopened to the public at dawn on April 30, 2020.  Naples beaches and beach access points will reopen to the public with the following restrictions:

• Naples Pier remains closed.
  • The concessions and facilities will remain closed.
  • The restrooms, showers, and water fountains will be open.
• Lowdermilk Park opens.
  • Concessions and playgrounds remain closed.
  • Restrooms, showers, and water fountains will be open.
• Gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 persons (chairs, umbrellas and sitting).
• Social distancing between individual users and group users must be a minimum of 6 feet.
• Swimming allowed – maintain social and physical distancing
• Fishing allowed from shore (and with fishing license) – maintain social and physical distancing
• Beach parking areas will be open.
• Beach parking meters will be operational, and Naples Police will enforce parking regulations.  Signs will be installed at parking meters that parking regulations will be enforced.
• Public showers and drinking fountains will be operational.
• Beach users will be encouraged to observe universal precautions and practice safe behaviors.
• Those visiting Naples beaches and using available facilities do so at their own risk.

City parks will open pathways for walking with the following restrictions:

• Eva Sugden-Gomez Center restrooms at Baker Park will be opened.
• The restrooms at these facilities will remain closed until further notice:
  • Seagate Park
  • Fleischmann Park
  • Cambier Park – except the Arthur Allen Tennis Center will open on Monday, May 4, 2020
  • Naples Landings
  • Anthony Park
  • River Park
• Drinking fountains will be operational. Use at your own risk.
• Playgrounds will be closed (with barricades and caution tape).
• Community Centers and River Park fitness center will remain closed.
• Outdoor fitness stations will remain closed.
• Tennis and pickleball courts and athletic fields (not for competitive play) will be opened.
  • All basketball courts remain closed.
• Gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 persons.
• Social distancing between individual users and group users must be a minimum of 6 feet.
• Picnicking allowed with a maximum of 10 people in group.
• The Naples Dog Park will open. Use at own risk.
• The River Park Aquatics Center will remain closed.
• The Naples Landings boat launch will be open for public use.
• The City Dock will open for fuel sales and operations by tenant charter boats.
  • The City Dock will remain closed to casual strolling and public gatherings.

Every resident and visitor need to be responsible to continue practicing social distancing, limit your groups to 10 or less, wash your hands frequently, and stay at home as much as possible.  The City will take action to restrict these public facilities again if the CDC guidelines are not followed.