Sanibel Paid Beach Parking Lots Closed Fourth of July Weekend

by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes

Sanibel City Council voted 3-1 in a special meeting today to close paid beach parking lots during the Fourth of July weekend.

Florida has been experiencing a rise in the number of positive COVID-19 cases since entering the second phase of reopening June 5 and the Florida Department of Health has reported four new cases on Sanibel since June 26.

Several counties on the east coast of Florida and nearby Collier County have closed beaches or restricted access for the holiday weekend as part of an effort to get control over the spiking virus infection rates. And Sanibel has joined that effort.

Vice Mayor Mick Denham, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Kevin Ruane, said the decision was “really a numbers problem” with beach closures or restrictions in the other areas. “It allows us to better control the number of people on the beaches,” he said.

Finance Director Steve Chapel told council members paid beach parking lots were at or near capacity last weekend and there have been record weekends since reopening June 1. And beach parking revenue has increased 5 to 6 percent in June compared to last year.

Councilwoman Holly Smith reported accommodations are full for the weekend and she was concerned about insufficient space for proper social distancing on the beaches. It was a consideration echoed by Councilman Richard Johnson, who said managing the paid beach parking areas gives people a better chance at having suitable space.

“This is not a financial decision, but a true indicator of what we are seeing happen in our paid parking areas,” Johnson said.

Councilman Jason Maughan voted against the temporary closure and questioned the accomplishment. “I’m afraid the net result will be people who are only going to the beach and not interacting with residents will be prohibited, but those who are vacationing here for the weekend and having interactions (in the community) are allowed,” he said.

Denham said numerous citizens have urged the city to close paid beach parking lots for the holiday weekend to avoid visitors diverting to the island. “One of the important things is to listen to those who put me in office and they are telling me to please try to limit the number of people on the beaches,” he said.

The following paid beach parking lots will be closed from Friday, July 3 through midnight Monday, July 6: Blind Pass, Gulfside City Park (Algiers), Lighthouse Beach & Fishing Pier, Tarpon Bay Beach and Trost. The city boat ramp parking will also be closed with the exception of A and AC parking stickers.

In addition, “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will close the Bailey Tract parking lot on Tarpon Bay Road to discourage beach parking over the holiday weekend.