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How did Tigertail Beach become our main public access point to the beach on Marco Island? Why doesn’t Marco Island have public access walkways to the beach every half mile like Naples does? Every once in a while these questions pop up.

The answers lie in the history of Marco Island’s development. The Deltona Corporation and the Mackle Brothers began construction of Marco Island in 1964. Their plan for our beautiful island community was based upon their past experience developing other ocean front communities within the state of Florida. The Mackle Brothers envisioned a beachfront park site that would be utilized by visitors and residents alike. They didn’t want throughways without supporting facilities. They didn’t wish to create nuisance situations for surrounding homeowners.

Deltona knew from past experience that a gathering place for families that would have picnic facilities with restrooms and a playground, as well as a lovely beach, would be ideal for the island.

With this thinking, in 1969 Deltona deeded Tigertail Beach to Collier County for public use. It appears the county made out well as did the residents of Marco Island. Later in 1975 the Deltona Corporation deeded Residents’ Beach to the Marco Island Civic Association.

The Deltona Corporation was very generous to the future citizens of Marco Island. In their planning, they set aside land for churches, schools, hospitals, parks, boat ramps, and beach access. They later deeded the land to the appropriate organizations and entities. Most of the recipients have lived up to the terms of the deeds.

The policy for beach access on Marco Island was put in place and accepted by Collier County government in 1969 and Marco Island was developed around this policy.

Twelve years later Collier County Commissioners instituted an ordinance requiring public access every half mile along the coastline. But Deltona had already given Collier County more than 100 acres of land and sand. Development had been going on for more than 17 years on Marco under the understanding and agreement that Tigertail Beach was the beach park and public beach access on Marco Island.

On September 15, 1981, at a meeting of the Collier County Commissioners, Collier County accepted Tigertail Beach as fulfilling beach access on Marco Island, in lieu of requiring access points every one half mile.

Local historian and former Deltona architect, Herb Savage, was at the County Commission meeting in 1981. Years later Mr. Savage explained to Marco Island City Council members that the Mackle Brothers envisioned Mackle Park as a family and community gathering location. It was the master plan of the Mackle Brothers and Deltona to supply a beach front park with parking and amenities rather than just walkways here and there.

Without parking, sanitary facilities, trash removal and maintenance these points can become a large nuisance to the surrounding property owners. Access points and unpatrolled beaches have been known to be the site of criminal problems as Naples and surrounding communities have experienced.

Marco Island residents also went through a learning curve at South Beach prior to the parking lot and restrooms being constructed.

Tigertail Beach Park now consists of more than 135 acres and has been given the grand distinction of being on the Great Florida Birding Trail. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida offers amazing guided beach walks. In season they take place every Monday through Friday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. In the summer they will schedule a guided beach walk when there is a group of 5 to 30 individuals. Please call Ken Kubat at 642-7740 for details.

Of course, what would an article about Tigertail Beach be without mentioning the Friends of Tigertail? The Friends of Tigertail is a non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers serving the community through educational programs and citizen support efforts while actively preserving and protecting the natural systems of Tigertail Beach. They conduct educational programs throughout the year related to the coastal, marine and wetland environments. All kinds of information can be found on their Web site at www.friendsoftigertail.com.

In addition, there are scheduled dates for beach cleanup for the remainder of the year, which can be found on the Web site or by calling Susan at 394-1470 for further information.