In the Know: Why Cajeput but not Gulf Park?

Q: I live on Gulf Park Drive off of U.S. 41 North. We have such a tiny sign out there that nobody can find us when they come from the north. Why can’t we have a sign like Cajeput Drive has going north?

— Joann Merzweiler, Naples

To give readers a point of reference, Gulf Park Drive enters U.S. 41 from the west between the two spots where Pelican Bay Boulevard loops around and connects with U.S. 41, just north of Pine Ridge Road. The tiny sign Mrs. Merzweiler refers to is the standard street sign found at most crossroads. The larger sign she refers to on U.S. 41, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation, is an advance street sign, a highway sign placed in the median to alert motorists to an approaching crossroad or side street.

It is not practical for FDOT to give advance notice for all side streets, especially on a major highway such as U.S. 41. The larger advance street signs are usually used only at major intersections with traffic signals, not every intersection, according to Debbie Tower, area public information director for FDOT.

So, before Mrs. Merzweiler next asks why Cajeput Drive has an advance sign but not traffic signals, let’s just say that’s a good question. Cajeput and Center Street both have north and south advance signs, but do not have signals. At least Gulf Park Drive has an advance sign for motorists traveling north.

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Q: Who is responsible for the canal along Airport-Pulling Road from Golden Gate Parkway to Pine Ridge Road? The water is dirty, it doesn’t seem to have moved any water for a long time, there is trash all along it and it’s really unsightly.

— Loran Loy, Naples

The canal system is operated by the South Florida Water Management District, a regional agency of the state of Florida charged with managing and protecting water resources in a 16-county region, including Collier and Lee counties. The water district maintains the water flow and appearance of 169 miles of canals, according to Judy Haner, intergovernmental and community outreach specialist for the district’s Big Cypress Basin office in Naples.

“We do the best we can do,” Haner said.

The canal along the western side of Airport-Pulling Road shows algae growth this time of year because of the stagnant environment created by low water levels, she said.

“It hasn’t moved a lot of water lately because we have been in the dry season,” Haner said.

In preparation for hurricane season, the water district removes anything from the canal that could be a major flow impediment. For instance, the district pulled seven vehicles out of local canals this spring, she said.

The stretch of canal in question this week looks better south of World Tennis Club. This part of the canal borders the Grey Oaks golf community, which maintains aquatic weeds with supplemental maintenance and picks up trash daily along the canal. Two aerators maintained by Grey Oaks near its bridges over the canal also help keep the water moving to prevent algae from growing.

The water district treats algae in the canal on a rotational schedule, targeting the most important areas for water flow first, not necessarily along high-traffic areas, Haner said. As most Florida residents can attest, even plants sprayed with herbicide can grow back fairly quickly.

As for trash in or along canals, Haner said the water district is partnering with Keep Collier Beautiful in an effort to alleviate the problem. Similar to the Adopt-A-Road program, which has sponsors that regularly clean sections of roads, area businesses, organization and even individuals can sign up for a quarterly cleanup of canals.

“We’re always looking for more help and a positive way to make a difference,” she said.

Haner said the canal cleanup program increases visibility and makes a great team-building project, but sponsors may hire someone else to clean the sections they are responsible to maintain. Sections of Airport Road and Collier Boulevard have been adopted in the past, but the program needs more community participation.

Anyone interested in joining the effort to cleanup the canals should call Haner at 597-1505, ext. 7603; or e-mail her at jhaner@sfwmd.gov.

Get lost

If you haven’t made a trip to Clam Pass Park at the end of Seagate Drive in North Naples, you owe it to yourself to visit this unique beach-access point. The highlight of the 35-acre park, named for the inlet that connects Outer Clam Bay to the Gulf, is the three-quarter-mile boardwalk, a nature trail which winds its way from the parking lot, crosses over Clam Pass and ends at the beach.

You can walk the boardwalk to the beach or you can catch a ride on a free tram that runs regularly throughout the day from the abundant parking lot. On a first visit, try taking the 20-minute walk to the beach, and the tram back to experience both methods. Although you might swear the boardwalk is wood, it is actually made of recycled milk cartons.

The boardwalk is partially shaded by a mangrove forest, punctuated by the aboveground spidery roots of red mangroves. The park has a tidal bay area, a breeding ground for marine life and wildlife, especially many species of birds.

The beach is rarely crowded, and it’s a great place to watch the sun set. Near the beach, you’ll find restrooms and a concession with food, drinks and the rental of beach equipment such as kayaks, canoes and sailboards.

Open 8 a.m. to sundown, Clam Pass parking is free to visitors with a beach parking sticker affixed to their vehicle. Visitors without a sticker must stop at the gatehouse at the park’s entrance to pay a $6 parking fee.

Remember that Pine Ridge Road becomes Seagate Drive when it crosses U.S. 41 North. The park entrance is next to the Naples Grande Resort & Club, formerly the Registry Resort. Don’t forget your sunscreen and bug repellant.

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Tim Aten is news editor of the Daily News. E-mail questions for this column to intheknow@naplesnews.com, or call 213-6007.