05/09/2023
Oh Happy Day for Naples! 🎉☀️🌊🏝️🏖️
Hello Friends!
We have been waiting since Hurricane Ian hit to give you this news…
We will re-open on May 15th, 2023 at 8am!!!🎉
Please take a moment to clear out around your space, so as to not break anything, and do the biggest happy dance you can!
🐬Along with this great news we NEED everyone’s help! No, I’m not asking for a donation, and no, you don’t have to do any work! We need you to help us educate and spread the word on what to expect at Wiggins. Simply put we are not the same park as we once were and there are some changes that were necessary for us to partially open. The alternative was to stay closed for years as the rebuild moved forward or to open as much as possible and continue on. Below is a list of rules that are now in place, this does not mean these are permanent changes, they are what is needed to be open while the rebuild moves forward.
🌺A personal request from me is to PLEASE be understanding with the Rangers and Management when you see them. They have dealt with so much these past 8 months and should be welcomed back and shown a huge amount of gratitude. I am so very proud of each and every one of them!
🐢Now, on to the new rules to help protect our park.
1. Parking lots 1 and 2 are open. If the park is full you can park at Connor Park and take a free shuttle to the front gate, or simply walk in. Why not 3-5? Parking lot 3 still needs work to get it ready and 4-5 are too heavily damaged.
2. Honor boxes or iron Rangers have been placed in the parking lots for you to pay the entrance fee. These fees help to support and rebuild the park so please do the right thing and pay.
3. Porta Potties are available in parking lots 1 and 2 OR you can head to the Bluebill entrance to use the restroom and showers.
4. Grills are NOT allowed in the park, as we lost our picnic areas and you are not allowed to grill on the beach. Coolers are allowed so you can still pack your food and drinks.
5. Please respect the rope fence! This one is VERY important. The fence is in place to protect the dunes and help vegetation grow back. The beach “looks” wider but the rope fence shows you just how much veg we lost, as it’s sitting on the old vegetation line.
6. The boat launch is open, no change there just an FYI.
7. Fishing is only allowed in Area 5, this is the same as always.
8. Take with you that which you bring in *said in my best Yoda voice*. Please do NOT leave any trash on the beach. Trash receptacles are located in areas 1 and 2.
Lastly, once we open and you enter the park, take a deep breath, she looks different but is still beautiful. Though we lost much we are still thankful for what we have and for each other. We hope to see you all very soon, and we THANK YOU for your understanding, patience, and support! ~Ursula
