Collier commissioner against shutting down marina to commercial activity

A Collier County leader says he’s working to find solutions to an overcrowding problem at a Marco Island boat ramp

There is controversy at Caxambas Park & Marina over boat parking and access to the dock.

Commissioner Rick LoCastro told us it’s been an overlooked problem for years, and it’s time to address it, but not in a way that would shut down businesses.

“Nothing’s been implemented; nothing’s been announced; nothing’s been voted on,” LoCastro said.

LoCastro plans to fight hard against the idea of shutting down Caxambas Park to commercial activity.

The possible recommendation was discussed at a parks and rec advisory board meeting as a solution to overcrowding, oversized commercial trailers and lack of parking for recreational boaters.

Boaters such as Ford and Marge Cook hope for a solution that benefits everybody.

“This morning when we arrived, there was about 15 or 20 of the WaveRunners going out, and you know, the shellers and everything and some people, and the thing of it was is that it slowed it down,” said. “It didn’t make it impossible, but it slowed it down.”

Some alternatives are a commercial permitting lottery, more park rangers and dock masters controlling crowds or even rezoning Caxambas to allow commercial activity. Any eventual solution would need to go through Collier County Board of County Commissioners.