Update on the Beach Park
Dear Members,
As the 2022-23 season winds down, I find there is much to reflect on and even more to look forward to. Top of mind, in relation to the mission of the MPOA, is the state of our beloved Beach Park.
Nearly 200 members attended the MPOA Annual Meeting in March and learned about both the efforts to date and the plans for the future. Those who have been able to continue to enjoy the beach have seen first-hand the amazing transformation from October to now. If you have never been to the Beach Park before, you might not even know what is missing!
However, our Board and most members have seen the dramatic damage Hurricane Ian wrought on our lovely stretch of sand. I would like to take a few moments and communicate to everyone where we’ve been and where we are going.
Over the last seven months, we have identified three major phases of work:
EMERGENCY RESPONSE: In those early days, work instantly began to make the Beach Park safe and secure. The priority was to remove the nearly 4 feet of sand that had accumulated in the parking lot and to clear sand from the base of the signature Australian pines. Damage to the tables, benches, bike racks, landscaping, clusia hedge, showers, signage, stone walls, power, irrigation, and the Mobility Porch ranged from extensive to complete loss.
STABILIZATION: By November, the work moved towards stabilizing the Beach Park to allow members safe access. With damage to nearly all Naples beach ends, the Park had become one of the few places to access the Gulf. Securing the Park with temporary fencing was absolutely critical. Clearing sand off the pathways, removing dangerous debris, and providing safe working conditions for the attendants were all required to reopen.
RESTORE and RENOVATE: Fortuitously, the many supply and construction delays of 2021-22 worked in our favor. By early 2023, the long-planned yet long-delayed bathroom renovations and gate installation were underway. Restoring power, water, and irrigation, replacing basic landscaping and the clusia hedge, installing new curbing and showers as well as providing safe pathways took months of persistence. By late April, all were complete.
I am very pleased with what has been accomplished to date in the face of rising prices and material and labor shortages. Our Board’s efforts to save funds and expedite work included assembling 11 temporary wooden tables so that members would have shaded seating and a place to picnic.
We are at an inflection point in this phase. The Beach Park is stable and open. However, there is still much to be done. The Park design plan restores what worked and offers improvements -- including renovating the Mobility Porch, creating pathways and seating areas, adding bocci and horseshoes, and installing permanent tables, bench seating, and dune and shade plantings.
The generous outpouring of the membership last fall provided nearly $178,000 in donations which covered a portion of the work to date. Thank you again to everyone who donated.
The Board is committed to a fully restored Beach Park as an investment in the personal enjoyment and property values of the Moorings community. We are working diligently to get estimates and hire contractors for the remaining work and will communicate again once the details are finalized.
Please reach out with any questions or comments. Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer.
Cliff Holland
MPOA Board President
