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In the Know: By land, sea, beaches are accessible
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Q: Can you ferret out whether there really is any public access to Hideaway Beach. I have been unable to learn of a public access path and parking, yet I understand that hundreds of thousands of dollars were paid for by the county for beach renourishment and that beach maintenance and grooming are being performed by the county. Certainly, starting at Tigertail Beach and sloshing through knee-deep water and muck for over a mile cannot be access.
– Bob Ewell, Naples
A: All beaches have public access. You always have access via the water with any vessel.
But, no, Hideaway Beach does not have designated public parking nor a public access path on land. You must be a resident or guest of the private Marco Island gated community Hideaway Beach to use these amenities.
As you point out, Bob, the beach is accessible by foot, but it’s a long walk to Hideaway Beach from the only public land access at Tigertail Beach. The shoreline hike to the beach can be made only at low tide.
According to Collier County, the Hideaway Beach Homeowners Association paid for the sand – 280,000 cubic yards costing $2.9 million – to renourish the beach in 2006. A special taxing district was formed for this purpose.
The county, through the Tourist Development Council, paid for the structures to hold the sand on the beach. This consisted of 10 T-groins and a jetty that cost the county $2.75 million.
Q: Here is a question many folks around here have been asking. Are there any plans for the property on Orange Blossom between Airport and Livingston? It is the old orange grove/farmstand on the north side of the road. It is in disrepair and an eyesore. It should be torn down.
– Bob Dal Bello, Naples
A: The owner of the former tree farm wants to develop that land as a school, church, park or an assisted living center, but he’s not in a hurry.
“It’s a little unsuual in Naples to have 30 acres sitting there undeveloped. I just haven’t been ready to sell it,” said Mark Bates of Old Barn Inc. “I have a lot of interest in it. I have many large developers wanting to build a lot of condos here. I have held back, hoping that I would be in a position to offer it for something other than an intensive development of condominiums. I would prefer to have something really nice happen to it, something complementary to the area rather just bricks and mortar.”
Bates takes offense to the assessment that his property, actually five parcels of roughly 6 acres each, is in disrepair.
“It is well maintained and mowed all the time,” he said. “This is the first complaint. I have never had a complaint from the county, ever. I would be embarrassed if it were not well maintained. It’s agricultural land. I can’t keep it looking like a golf course.”
Tim Aten is chief online editor of the Daily News. E-mail questions with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com.
Find a complete archive of “In the Know” at naplesnews.com/intheknow/
Comments
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I wish we had more land owners like Mark Bates!
#1 Posted by irishmist20 on April 1, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree. The land is not an eyesore either. It is kept mowed and clean. The buildings are getting a little tired looking but they are far from an eyesore.
#2 Posted by swfl_ff on April 1, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hooters bars are an eyesore
#3 Posted by BackRoadsWine on April 1, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bob Dal Bello is an idiot.
#4 Posted by jsnaples on April 1, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jsnaples, couldn't agree more....and I'd bet a dollar that he's not even a local. (read: full-time resident)
#5 Posted by myrealname on April 2, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WE ARE WITH MR BATES ALL THE WAY..
EYESORE...HELL..HOW ABOUT THE WALL
RUNNING ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF
ORANGE BLOSSOM......
#6 Posted by joananddan on April 2, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Bob, why don't you and the rest of New Jersey pack it up and go back to the East Coast?.
#7 Posted by BignRich on April 2, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bob Dal Bello may fit with those who believe Florida should look like a theme park in Orlando. I was out of town most of yesterday, but when I read his "complaint", I saw red.
I am happy to see some undeveloped, unpaved spots still in existing. We have far too many artificial contrived "upscale" developments replete with non native ground cover and designer plantings. Thanks Mr. Bates.
#8 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on April 3, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Bates is a very well-intentioned, kind-hearted man- I know him personally. I trust him completely about wanting to keep the land for something special. I wish there were more developers like him as well.
Bob, find something else to complain about.
#9 Posted by swflnativegirl on July 14, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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