Fort Myers Beach study recommends parking improvements

On Thursday, Fort Myers Beach leaders will look at a recent parking study that recommends more attendants, better signage and limiting when spaces can be rented both hourly and seasonally.

The area is in the middle of a lot of construction, ongoing repairs along Estero Boulevard and the Margaritaville Resort. Jackie Liszak, president and executive director of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, says the traffic on the beach is filling up.

“We’ve noticed it’s been heavier traffic all summer,” Liszak said. “People working, people are coming, people are enjoying the island, the water is beautiful. We’ve had gorgeous weather. There was a lot of good-priced family vacations going on, and we’re welcoming folks from parts of the country that traditionally we haven’t seen, like California and Oklahoma and a lot of New Englanders, so clearly the word is out that Florida is the place to be.

If you’re still having trouble finding parking, the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce recommends driving just a little farther south down the island, away from the crowd. You can also download the Fort Myers Beach app, which will give you a good idea of the percentage of spots available.