The Friends is organizing a response to the proposed parking garage in area 4. First and foremost, we want you to know that this is only a possibility being explored by the county and the state. It is by no means a done deal. I have met with Bob's immediate supervisor, and informed her that we will be organizing a response to the possibility of building a parking garage in the park, which we do not agree with.

How can you help? First and foremost, you can have your say to the Director of the Florida Park Service and the Collier County Commissioners at the addresses below. Just let them know you do not agree with having a parking garage in our beloved natural Florida park.

Below is a sample letter which can be tailored to fit your individual feelings.  Some might want to insert phrases such as:

• As a 20 year resident of Collier County...
• As a member of the Citizens Support Organization...
• Anything else that will personalize the letter and your point of view
  

Dear (Insert name)

Recently Collier County officials and the State of Florida have been discussing the potential construction of a parking structure inside Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park to increase the usage of the beach.  Initial plans, according to the Naples Daily News, would be for a two story structure located in what is know as Parking Lot 4 providing somewhere between 150 to 200 spots.

While increased access to our beaches is a goal most of us can agree on, there must be a balance between access and preserving The Natural Florida.  This parking structure clearly flies in the face of preservation and will be an eyesore that once constructed, can never be removed.

When the total scope of options available to increase accessibility to the beach is exhausted, perhaps a parking structure would be warranted as the “last available option”.  However, to date Collier County and the State of Florida have not shown that this parking structure is the only way to increase accessibility.

I am asking that you personally take a position opposing the Parking Structure as “the only way” to solve this accessibility problem, and support getting expert help to increase the beach usage without spoiling the pristine barrier island feel of Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park.

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If you wish, you can cut and paste the letter above into an
E-mail to the Commissioners & Mike Bullock,
but please try to change it somewhat.

You can E-mail all the commissioners at once here

Thank-you.