Southwest Florida counties begin to reopen; These public spaces are open for enjoyment

Southwest Florida municipalities are starting to reopen beaches and parks after a shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, counties are putting together plans to continue to reopen other public areas. Below is a break down of what has recently reopened.

Charlotte County

County has reopened:

All beaches and beach parking lots. Must maintain social distancing and no groups larger than 10.

Restrooms are open at Englewood Beach and Port Charlotte Beach. Other amenities remain closed.

Sports fields and courts – football, softball, baseball, soccer, tennis and pickleball – but without organized activities.

Playgrounds, basketball courts and rec centers remain closed.

Fishing piers and disc golf courses will open for regularly scheduled hours.

Restrooms at county parks are now open, except restrooms at the following facilities, which are under construction:

Ann and Chuck Dever Regional Park football field

Harbor Heights Park

Maracaibo Kidspace Park

Centennial Park baseball field

Centennial Park soccer field

Rotonda Community Park

South County Regional Park baseball field

South County Regional Park softball field

What’s closed

Recreation centers, libraries, pools, splash pads, playgrounds, picnic tables and pavilions remain closed.

Punta Gorda

Ponce “Beach”, Gilchrist Park tennis and pickleball courts, benches and pavilions, and Hounds on Henry will reopen to the public on May 8.

Lee County

County has reopened:

Some recreation sites and preserves with trails have opened with limited amenities. Click HERE for a list of parks and trails.

Boat ramps remain open.

Beaches, beach parking, and dog parks. Click HERE for a list of parks and restrictions.

People can go to the sandy beach areas at Bowditch Point, Lynn Hall Park and Crescent Beach, as well as many other county-owned beach access points on Estero Island, some of which are within the Town of Fort Myers Beach and some within the City of Bonita Springs. Look for a county logo on the access signs or park signs and then you will know you are good to go.

Cape Coral

The City of Cape Coral reopened city parks, Yacht Club Beach, Rotary Park dog park and some sports courts. Click HERE for which parks are open and the guidelines.

Bonita Springs

The following City of Bonita Springs parks are open:

Riverside Park – including one bandshell restroom.

Liles Hotel Plaza

Depot Park (except for the playground and restrooms to remain closed)

Bonita Springs Dog Park will re-open the large and small dog runs only. Medium dog run and playground will remain closed. No personal chairs will be permitted.

Island Park

Bay Park North

Beach Park North

Carpenter Lane Park

Oak Creek Preserve

Leitner Neighborhood Park

Kentucky St. Park

Windsor Preserve

Bonita Springs Community Park will reopen the following amenities:

Disc Golf Course

Tennis Courts

Baseball/Softball fields – no dugouts or bleachers, no organized nor league play, no more than 10 people per field

Community Park Baseball complex restrooms

City of Bonita Springs Parks reopened previously include Cullum’s Trail, River Park, Bonita Nature Place (except for the Learning Center and Bee House), kayak launches.

Closures to remain in effect until further notice:

All Playgrounds

Bonita Springs Recreation Center

Community Pool

Marni Soccer Fields

Bonita Springs Soccer Complex

Community Park Basketball/Futsal Pavilion

Restroom facilities attached to any closed facility

Liles Hotel building

Sanibel/Captiva

Restaurants and retailers can reopen with proper social distancing in place.

Vacation rentals on the island will remain closed for now.

Officials also decided not to reopen beach parking except for those who live on the island.

Collier County

County has reopened:

Beaches from sunrise to sunset. There are no restrictions other than Gov. Desantis’ guidance of social distancing and groups no more than 10.

Beach parking access and parking lots are open.

Some concessions are open.

Playing fields and hard courts reopened April 30.

Naples

Beaches reopened April 30.

The restrooms, showers, water fountains, and parking will be open.

Lowdermilk Park restrooms, showers, water fountains, and parking will be open.

City parks will open pathways for walking. Restrooms will be open only at Baker Park.

The Naples Dog Park will open. Use at own risk.

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.

Tennis and pickleball courts and athletic fields (not for competitive play) will be opened.

Visitors at all locations must maintain social distancing and not gather in groups of 10 or more.

What’s closed:

Naples Pier remains closed.

Lowdermilk Park concessions and playgrounds remain closed.

The restrooms at these facilities will remain closed until further notice:

Seagate Park



Fleischmann Park

Cambier Park

Naples Landings

Anthony Park

River Park

Playgrounds will remain closed.

Community Centers and River Park fitness center will remain closed.

Outdoor fitness stations will remain closed.

All basketball courts remain closed.

The River Park Aquatics Center will remain closed.

The City Dock will remain closed to casual strolling and public gatherings.

Marco Island

Public beaches reopened April 30.

The beach and fishing areas at the base of the Jolley Bridge have reopened.

The courts and fields at Mackle Park and the Racquet Center opened May 1.

What’s closed:

The buildings at Mackle Park and the Racquet Center remain closed.

The playground, spray park, and restrooms at Mackle Park remain closed.

*Southwest Florida counties not listed here have not made significant closures to public spaces.

Writer: WINK News

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