MARCO ISLAND — From his fourth-floor condo at the southern end of Marco Island, Edward Purevich has a front row seat to what he says is an accident waiting to happen.
Cars and trucks of all shapes and sizes are using the grassy swales along Swallow Avenue and Seagrape Drive as a parking lot for the beach. Beachgoers unload their gear in the street. Vehicles block views from driveways. They back out into traffic.
Island residents say swale parking has always been a popular alternative when the county's South Marco beach parking lot overflows on holiday weekends, but this winter's busy tourist season and word of mouth have taken the island's beach parking squeeze to new heights.
"It's escalating," said Purevich, president of the Marisol Plaza Condo Association.
More than 100 concerned citizens attended a Marco Island City Council meeting last month to call on the city to address the problem.
Council Chairman Larry Magel said the problem will only worsen as more new communities spring up along the Collier Boulevard corridor and more people find their way across the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge looking to reach the beach.
"We're just going to have to figure out a smarter way to handle that," Magel said.
Magel said he has asked the city's planning board to weigh options, which some have suggested could range from the city starting a beach shuttle from the island's Veterans Park to buying or leasing more parking lots.
Talk of making Marco Island more inviting to beachgoers with more parking or a beach shuttle is raising a concern to some that the island will become overrun with excessive beach-bound traffic.
"We should not be encouraging people from off the island to come and use the beach," Councilman Bill Trotter said. "I think my first concern is with residents of the island."
He said he "doesn't see the problem" given the number of parking spaces that go unused at the county's Tigertail Beach park.
Fast facts
Marco has four public beach access points: The county-run lots at South Marco beach and at Tigertail, a drop-off lane near the Marco Marriott and an access walk with no parking at the Crystal Shores resort along Collier Boulevard.
Marco has four public beach access points: The county-run lots at South Marco beach and at Tigertail, a drop-off lane near the Marco Marriott and an access walk with no parking at the Crystal Shores resort along Collier Boulevard.
The county lot has 72 spaces at South Marco, which often is overflowing, but many of Tigertail's 287 spaces go unused, said Barry Williams, director of the county's parks and recreation department.
Tigertail has been at the center of access controversy before. Environmental advocates fought off a county proposal to build a pedestrian bridge over a lagoon to make it a shorter walk from the parking lot to the Gulf beach. A proposed tram service also failed to gain traction. The county promotes Tigertail as a bird-watching haven.
"You've got people that love it, you've got people that hate it," Williams said. "It depends on what you're looking for."
One of the most popular ways to get to the beach is at the private access at Residents Beach, which is managed by the Marco Island Civic Association for its members. A beach membership costs $130 per year.
MICA also manages Sarazen Park, which has a parking lot near the South Marco access that is available only to members. Deed restrictions require that it stay private, Magel said.
Since the outcry over the swale parking, city police have erected signs to keep cars 30 feet away from driveways. Police said they plan to step up enforcement.
"It helped a little," said James Webb, vice president of Florentine Gardens Condo Association.
Webb woud like to see more done though. He and others have proposed allowing only parallel parking to keep drivers from backing out into traffic.
Other proposals include physically blocking parking in the swale by planting shrubs and trees or building a curb or allowing only island residents to park in the swales.
Webb said the city needs a "more permanent solution" than signs and parking tickets.
"It's causing tremendous chaos," he said.
Marco Island Code Compliance Board
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 49
deltarome writes:
Trotter is right in that we should improve access for islanders but not encourage those from elsewhere. "if you build it, they will come". The parking at tigertail is not free so that encourages people to look elsewhere on the island. Parking in swales on southbeach is free. Add more free parking and it will only encourage more people to come to marco's free beaches.
GFonda writes:
I agree that we should not encourage off-islanders to invade our beaches; BUT the beaches in Florida are public and we should not put our heads in the sand and ignore the fact as is plainly evident that non residents will come. The article is correct about the Tigertail "Beach" access. The "Beach" is a long trek from the parking lot; and there is a charge for non Collier county residents to use it. The article is incorrect in that there is NO "pull-off" to drop beachgoers next to the Madeira. That is one of several poor planning decisions made in the recent Collier Blvd construction.
I wrote a letter to the editor recently about MICA and the need to consider its future. MICA's existing parking lots are not fully used and there is significant room to expand parking in them.
As I stated before, we cannot stop off island people from using our beaches; and the volume of these beachgoers will increase.
Here are several suggestions:
1. Take over Resident's Beach and Sarazen Park parking by "eminent domaine". (It will never happen!!!)
2. Since the City owns the swales in the affected areas (by South Beach and Madeira),pave them over and install parking meters.
3. In jest, turn Marco Island into a gated community with controlled access onto and off the island at the two bridges. Therefore, only certain "acceptable" people could dip their little toes in our elite waters.
toesinthewater writes:
I agree let's put in safe paved parking in the swales along Swallow and meter it. The swales are big enough to park down there and it will save on having to water the swales. Or post it no parking and let Collier County come up with a solution it is their access after all isn't? We need to get the ball rolling again with the boardwalk at Tigertail Beach. I'm sure that if people could access the beach easier that way more people would go to that beach.
Mayor_McCheese writes:
Tigertail should be the primary choice for off island beach visitors. If they either build a bridge across the lagoon or opened up the lagoon so that water would flow freely again (this will never happen), then people would go to Tigertail. It has a lot of facilities and a beautiful beach and plenty of parking. Also, if they make it less expensive to park at Tigertail than at South Beach (50% discount) and increase the price to park at South Beach to $10 and make it illegal to park on Swales at South Beach, then the Collier County South beach lot would be less busy - but only with a bridge at Tigertail.
captnjimbo writes:
It is not about who is special. I have been observing and am now pretty convinced that the great majority are people from off Island. I have also observed the public lot to have 20 or more spaces available and the MICA lot to be half full as swale parking migrated as far south as Courtyard Towers. People are driving RV's into the swales, sprinkler heads are being damaged. I have seen children walk onto the street hidden between two cars...worse yet adults will emerge from between their vans and suv's directly onto the street to lift their hatch to remove their beach gear. It is unsafe to ride a bike along the side of the street and the pandemonium is increased because trucks and cars are pulling trailers with boats and PWC...and are in a hurry to get to Caxambas Park to launch their day on the water. Somebody is going to get killed on Swallow...perhaps the street should be shut down in this condition...of course then how do the people that live there get home.
I do not wish to sound elitest...I am not, but when my wife and I purchased on Marco Island we had a choice and decided against Naples, against Ft Meyers beach, against South Beach, Miami etc. etc. Marco has become a day trip destination and I am thinking instead of providing more parking and shuttles perhaps it would be wise to provide less and then find a way to provide a permit to Island residents who live a couple miles from the beach.
What we have experienced in the last few weeks is not acceptable and should be stopped. Council has some tough decisions to make and I am suggesting that making it easier might indeed make it worse...try to imagine every swale within 4 blocks of the beach in the same condition as Swallow and Seagrape and if it is okay to swale park there...why not Collier Blvd?
lauralbi1 writes:
Somebody needs to teach our City workers how to dig a hole, pour cement, place a 6" sleeve, vertically in the cement, get 4' long pipe with caps, weld rings on top and bottom (for locks and chain)) and string chain to make an area that nobody can park in.
The cement is below grade level to not interfere with lawn mowers. They could even use this technique to eliminate all the crime scene tape at Veteran's Park that looks like a ghetto area with a murder scene.
The pipes can be removed by unlocking the lock that holds it in place. You could even paint the cap yellow to have it stand out.
This is not rocket science. It would take a couple of days and could be paid for by revenues from other sources like Farmer's Market or Beach revenues. Maybe the County would pay for it.
Ed Issler
OldMarcoMan writes:
Here is an Idea,
Put a guy who lives in a gated community in a luxury high rise about 1/2 way through his very first term in elected office as the chairman, then come up with a way to spend money that should be used for working class peoples kids to recreate in the summer on a slip shot solution, that probable requires a consultant because of the councils lack of experience, that eventually doesn't work and your on the right track to what probable going to happen.
......Oooops forgot Faye Biles and a bunch of residents that aren't really effected because they have heated pools and are MICA members so when the grand kids come down for a week in the summer they get beach parking and are just after a quick newspaper quote then back out for a cocktail and Frank Sinatra on PBS......
As long as it doesn't effect the Hotels or High Rises let the Average Joe and his kids pay.
But Im probable just dreaming and it will work out in the end, see you at the Club for a CockAToonie after Golf ?
panola60 writes:
The swale parking the city has allowed along Swallow has not only significantly reduced the property value of the condos in that area but also the area residents are forced to deal with their bad behavior including all kinds of trash left behind, loud noises, loud music, screaming babies, arguments, etc.
marco826 writes:
Marco, ready to buy again...spend money they don't have.. This is a temporary problem. Season is over. People park all over the swale's on Thursdays at the Esplanade...should we make the whole Island a Parking Lot?
by Joni Mitchell
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel *, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
They took all the trees
Put 'em in a tree museum *
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
deltarome writes:
i think Magel should open up free parking for off islanders at half full Cape Marco condo's. They have empty bathrooms too. once that fills up, open up his neighborhood at Hideaway for parking just as long as they bring a bag of sand from Home Depot. That way they get more free sand to offset erosion.
26yearsonmarco writes:
I suggest the Swale Problem be turned over to Tim Pinter who gets things done without the Councils knowledge or permission.
Some possible solutions would be to place a combination of 25 feet tall street lights, five feet apart, like he placed on Bald Eagle, or lights like the ones he placed on Collier Blvd., and turn every other one off. The most effective solution would be to place a natural gas line down both sides of Swallow, and leave it on top of the ground.
Last, but not least, the “jungle” in the Collier Blvd median, which will inevitably cause of the death of a pedestrian crossing the street, can be placed in the swales.
marco97 writes:
I agree with 26, with Pinter it's like Joel never left.
August8 writes:
Simple, a larger parking lot?
Sparky100 writes:
Additional parking at South Beach is not the answer, it will just overcrowd the beach. People will not walk ½ a mile up the beach to find more room and if they do, they will be leaving their trash all the way back to their car. The only answer is offsite parking with a shuttle service, add two or three additional beach access points to spread out the people. A temporary solution put a cop out there to enforce existing parking laws.
happy6 writes:
sparky...you can forget a cop out there...our wonderful chief does not want to impose on the boys to stand in the hot sun....call donna, she seems to have an answer for everything...
deltarome writes:
where are you going to shuttle from? Lowes on 951 and 41? There isnt surplus parking anywhere close to the island, forget about on the island. Who is going to pay for shuttle? Make it more difficult and they will go someplace else.
Mayor_McCheese writes:
Is there any possibility that the County could develop a new beach site on the mainland somewhere just north or just south of MI?
OldMarcoMan writes:
Topless Beach between Tiger Tail and Hideaway? That will move the traffic.
A Parking Structure at the new Section 8, Low Income Housing Project, with a shuttle of course.
BronxGal writes:
Why did this problem just crop up this year ???
I have lived full time on Swallow for 10 years.
This was only a problem on Holidays and Winter,Spring break and holidays. And I think we have been very tolerante when this was only occasionally.This year it started Dec.15th and has been every day !!! How would you like your home to look like a giant parking lot for 6 months. Id the parking was infront of Cape Marco .would something have been done ASAP ?
Why can't swale parking just be banned ?
Put a parking lot on one of the three empty parcels at Seagrape and Valley and charge.
If swale parking is not banned people will just park in the swales for FREE. South Beach looks like Coney Island , the amount of shore birds with all this traffic is nill . There is also no bathroom accomdations ,only one bathroom in the existing lot.Garbage ,dirty diaper and litter is being throw in the swales. Not to say anything about propery values ,would you buy or rent a unit with a giant parking lot as your view ?
This year we have been patient ,and awaiting an answer for the City. Next year if this is not resolved we will not be so quiet. No tickets are given even to the cars parked in the bus stop on Seagrape, This morning at 10.AM and this afternoon at 2 PM cars were parked with no tickets , WHY ???Parking meters would look terrible,and why do we have to pay for a shuttle bus ??
benjaron writes:
The solution to the problem is a simple one Property owner's be it a home condo should have total control over the use of the swale bordering there property I would hate to try to sell or live in a house that has a car full of kid's parking in front of it every day check out the home for sale on the corner of flamingo & Maple that is for sale Beach people there every day That realtor should be raising hell about that situation This situation of random parking on the swales by other than the home owner has got to affect property value and actual sale ability The owner maintaining the swale should have the right to put a no parking sign up and be able to have it backed up by the local enforcement Property right's are being trampled on Marco !!!
MrBreeze writes:
Build more bridges and the "visitors" will use them. Mr. Breeze told you it was coming now go and enjoy what you all wished for.
Why not give up our driveways at home for the wonderfull "visitors" to park in that way the "shuttle" can pick them up like a school bus just a beech bus.
Then after the day at the beech they can return to the inland area where they reside and tell all the friends and relatives how nice people we are on Marco Island.
Also Why not while you are at it steal away the Mica lots as they have more value to the "visitor" then the resident.
Maybee I can offer a clean and detail of the "visitors" vechicle while it is in my driveway. Sounds like a venture to me.
mrz333 writes:
I agree that
"Property rights are being trampled on Marco !!!"
Quality of life issues are being ignored which seems weird since living on Marco is all about 'quality of life'. Seems like Marco is somewhere between a gated community and a free for all. I see the names of posters over and over. Can't you all get together and address one issue - quality of life - before there is none left here on the island. I may be "confused" but isn't that why we all pay the tab for living here? Maybe we should talk to the island's owner since it is obvious that we have no rights. We don't 'own' we only live here by the graces of Good King Marco!
captnjimbo writes:
Another visit yesterday...swale parking up to Florentine Garden's. 20 spaces open in the parking lot, only 9 spaces used in the MICA lot (was around 3pm)
Trash everywhere...the beaches might belong to everyone but Marco belongs to it's residents. I agree that the quality of life as we know it is at risk and certainly anyone looking at condo's or houses in the south beach area are going to be turned off, off, off if they are shopping in that environment. That certainly will affect values negatively and it is wrong, wrong, wrong!
I would stop swale parking except by permit and exceptions would be for when it would serve the Marco Community...art show, church...some scheme like that.
captnjimbo writes:
One more thing...MICA we need your leadership.
mrz333 writes:
captnjimbo don't wait for MICA! We, as residents, need to tell MICA what WE want and not wait for what WE"LL get from them. Up until now I haven't seen much leadership from them - nor interest in a loosing battle we now only seem to be fighting in our minds and on paper. Tell me there are others willing to take this simple task in hand an I'm there 100%. And Y'ALL? Like in the old days - 1,2,3,4 we won't be ig-nored any more!! WE, by the way, being the essential word here! Just because we need folding chairs to stage a sit in doesn't mean we can't put our ever widening butts to good use:)
mrz333 writes:
If there's inerest in acting in the interest of residents on quality of life issues here on Marco email me at wearemarcoisland@hotmail.com
MrBreeze writes:
Why does everone keep "eyeing" the Mica lots. They are for the residents period. Get it.
Deltona left them for us the residents and I believe I would fight that to the end.
The problem is "hype". You have all this hype about the island, the beech, and now the new bridge which makes it so easy to get here.
With that comes phase two the gated island. Wait until the toll booths go up, it will be needed to "control" traffic which will be what we are told but really it is to further the coffers of the county or state or city who will argue over the revenue.
The resident will be so mad that they will welcome the toll bridge just in hopes that it will curb the congestion.
Phase three, the hotels, resturants, and realators are all promoting the hype as it puts dollars in the till. The problem is the noise, congestion and all other issues that come with overcrowding.
Mr. Breeze wrote this some three years ago as the "free bridge" was being chased by local leaders as the great project of Marco Island.
Well, we got it.
captnjimbo writes:
It was vieled but what I was hinting is that if it were residents flocking to the beach the MICA lot would have been full...and also that while the street was loaded with cars the visitor lot was 25% vacant.
It is convenient to blame the free bridge but it is a combination of a beautiful beach, an increasing population and ability to park everywhere that's bringing the folks. Could you imagine the traffic with this attraction, if we did not have the extra bridge.
Our beach has become an "attractive Nuisance" and the result is out of control parking. Police the parking and you bring management to the situation. finis
MarcoBiker writes:
Parking on seeded areas, for which the landowner is responsible, should only be permitted if the landowner agrees ... e.g., San Marco Catholic church could allow parking on its grass, home owners and the condos on Swallow and Swale could decline permission. Ticket and tow swale parkers!!!!
MarcoBiker writes:
Here's a wild one. Don't know what professional insurance coverage the council members have from getting sued ... there may be exceptions for when they act in a manner known to be adverse. The swale parking is not just a blight on Marco, it's also a safety and liability issue.
It is only a matter of time before some kid pops out between cars, or some biker gets hit because cars can't see around other parked cars and the biker's view is restricted as well ... let alone the notion of all these vehicles backing into and across lanes of vehicle travel.
So, we get 20 people to throw in $100, and we hire an attorney to draft a formal complaint and have it served on the City of Marco Island and each council member individually. If the City is risk adverse, and I believe putting the City and Council on notice would "attach some risk" ... if nothing else, the City doing nothing may be cause for removal of council members using whatever regulations govern their serving.
The City of Marco has created this problem, or done nothing to be responsive, and it needs to be fixed.
26yearsonmarco writes:
The latest scuttlebutt is the Condo Associations along Swallow are planning to plant shrubs, at their expense, in the swales which is City property, and maintain them as well.
This is known as Affirmative Action, and the Condo Owners should receive a tax break from the City.
If this is true, it will be interesting to see the Councils reaction to this.
captnjimbo writes:
Yea! Good ideas from the folks.
mh212 writes:
Wow as a business owner as well as a part -time resident of Marco i cannot believe the elitist and self- entitlement views i have read here.
FLORIDA BEACHES ARE PUBLIC !!! Something should be done help these people who come to Marco to spend there hard earned money in our community !!!
As i see it most people here would rather not have the so called "non-islanders" here , what kind of mentality is that ??? might as well put a guard house on the bridge and shoo everyone without a Marco address away . Unbelievable .
I can agree that there is not sufficient parking , but lets find sensible solutions .
I am beside myself at the attitude of some people .
Get over it folks ,Marco is a beautiful place that WILL be shared by all , no amount of regulation , Shrubs , or whatever other schemes some people come up with will change that .
If its a ghost town you want ,then by all means find a way to prevent the "non-islanders " from entering .
benjaron writes:
It's not about keeping people off the island but every thing & every place does have limit's The issue is primarily abuse of individual property right's & maintaning property value. Property owner's should have a say in who park's in front of there home or condo. That is not an unreasonable request. The question of how to handle the hordes of beach goer's is complex. Is it the city's responsibility to provide parking & sanitary facility's Who pay's for this ?? & is there suficient space avail Like i stated "there are limit's to everything"
captnjimbo writes:
I thought I was finished with this but I would like to answer mh12...but not argue.
As a business person I agree with you but I suspect, because I have been monitoring, that people are driving onto the island, driving to the south beach entrance (There is the Sunset Grill, a great place) but for the most part they trek to the beach and about 3 pm the exodus begins...they drop their trash as they reload their cars and they drive away.
BenJaron has got it right.
Now I am done.
MarcoBiker writes:
MH .... actually, I think there are places where beaches are "owned" by individuals and condos. Think the Marriott beach is "public"? I don't think so. Where one stands usually depends on where one sits ... so unless you live in one of the affected areas and experience the problems discussed day-in day-out please leave the egalitarian hooey out of the discussion. (P.S. Their hard earned money is spent at Publix or Winn Dixie and then driven on the island, and then left behind them in the water, in the sand, on dunes, dumped in the parking lots or swales (thanks for the butts smokers)).
MrBreeze writes:
sounds like mh212 owns a t-shirt shop or other tourist related business so he or she would naturally love the place to be flooded with "daytrippers"
As I said before we once all were "daytrippers" to Marco Island. I remember coming down for the day, pulling right into the parking space and never having a problem.
The land "owners" of Marco Island have first rights to live and enjoy the island that is why we pay taxes and own property. I am not going to agree that the island is home to all to disrespect.
BronxGal writes:
Ithink you are too sensitive,99% are not complaining about using the beach BUT THE PARKING. They do not spend money on the Island ,and leave TRASH. I can tell you do not live on the south end. And just love the beach looking like Coney Island ,the shore birds disappearing or turtle nesting areas. Why does everyone park at the south end ,and not use other access points, and why did this just start this year???
MarcoCitizen writes:
On Tuesday, Apr 17 at 12 noon, there were 2 cars parked in the swales and many spaces available in the Collier County lot. The hysterical residents nearby seem intolerant of a few weeks of visitor popularity. Let's calm down and recognize reality - a few weeks of increased people traffic per YEAR.
BeenThereHereNow writes:
Interesting....complaining about visitors parking in the swale to access the beach, but don't complain when it happens in other areas, example, every weekend at Stans Idle Hour Restaurant and has been for decades. Care to explain?
benjaron writes:
STAN's is a very poor comparison the people parking on the roadside on rt 92 are not in front of any one's house Many property's are marked off "no Parking" And many are collecting ten buck's as they rightfully have a say in who park's in front of there home's Also Stan's is like a special event similar to sunday church or the farmer's market where exception's are made. I will state again A property owner Should have control of what go's on in their maintained swale As far as the beach go's there is a limit as to how much can be absorbed with the current no sanitation / parking Swim in poop & pee if you like
BeenThereHereNow writes:
You have one thing right in your entire comment.
"Stan's is like a special event similar to sunday church or the farmer's market where exception's are made." Been making "exception's" for him and his drunks (church) for decades. The whole blasted town has to listen to his yeehaw music every weekend and have been for decades.Your $10 charge was not always the case. He and his patrons abused the hell out of the residents to the point that they started complaining. The scenario with beach parking...no different from the BS he has pulled, forever.
benjaron writes:
Yesterday i noticed for the first time the city has no parking signs along the entire swale in front of the YMCA on Sandhill Why is their swale protected when Condo & Homeowner's in the Swallow area south end & along maple /flamingo
beach walk not afforded the same courtesy
Any one have an answer to that ???
ajm3s writes:
In an effort to dispel the elitism label on residents, I shall offer the fact that a city is a representation of its citizens. To date I have heard that MIA supporters are elitist, Tract K eagle supporters are elitist, and on and on we go.
Now I guess we can all agree we must be elitist in one form or another by a position we take. So having risen or fallen to the rank of elitist, by whatever viewpoint you choose, let me ask a business owner and part-time resident, how many folks should this city accommodate? And in the hierarchy of needs to be served, is this city to first serve its citizens of Marco Island or citizens of outlying communities.
Mr. Caruso of the Planning Board at the last meeting was right on point when he described his experience with beach communities. His town in NJ choose NOT to accommodate visitors with public parking and restrooms for its beach, whereby adjacent communities did. Result, there was a stark contrast in community experiences. Now ask yourself, is it in the cities best interest to have a private home with a swale serve as a public parking facility for beach access?
Call me an elistist but I do not believe it was the intent of Deltona to create a public parking facility but rather a quality experience for quests and residents who stayed here.
BronxGal writes:
Apparently you do not live on the South End . This is not a few weeks ,BUT A FEW MONTHS since December 2011 every day .Now there are spots in the public parking ,and they still park in the swales IT'S FREE!! THATS WHY
MarcoCitizen writes:
Totally under utilized Sarazen Park (without even changing the name) would well substitute for on street parking if the political will,and the incentive of metered income, were there which I doubt.
Since you are now on Marco I take it you agree with Ogden Nash-" Bronx no thonx"
Ocram (Inactive) writes:
Come on folks the parking is free and as long as it is free people will park there. It does not cost them a penny if they mess up the swale.
In addition, there is no safety precaution implemented by the city and since the city is aware of this, should someone be seriously injured by someone backing out or for a child running out between cars and getting run over, the city could be held responsible for damages.
This is a neglect situation and the city should act on it as quickly as possible.
Ocram (Inactive) writes:
It is not about non islanders being here. It is about non islanders messing up what we islanders have worked all of our lives for, a clean, safe environment.
Do you think that these people who park on the swales give a rat's butt about the damage they do? They park there because it is free and nothing else.
It was not a ghost town before they started using the swales and will not be a ghost town if they are not permitted to do so.
MrBreeze writes:
Ocram, You got it right!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.