Newton Park restroom on line
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Larry Kiker unveiled a new portable restroom at Newton Park last week after which members of town council; Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board members; town manager Scott Janke and residents walked the grounds discussing a new landscape plan for the property.
Kiker quipped that when a dedication for the new restroom was discussed he was selected.
“They decided I was the head guy,” he said.
Kiker told the audience that what he believes is most important about Newton Park is that it is a reflection of change.
“About how we feel about each other and neighbors and community and people who come in to visit with us, who that council calls the islanders. What we have here is transition taking place,” Kiker said. “It was just a couple of years ago I can remember coming by here and one of the things I heard from everyone was, quote – unquote, ‘One of the biggest eyesores on the Beach.’ And it was. It’s through the work that CELCAB and (Newton Park director) Theresa (Schober) and town staff; the last town council and this town council has supported this project all the way through.”
Kiker pointed out new landscaping on the grounds as well as a paid parking lot and other amenities that have made a significant improvement to the park.
“You can now sit at a picnic table or under a chickee hut and have lunch and look at the gulf,” he said. “I think by itself is pretty special.”
Kiker said plans for the beach cottage on the property would be resolved by council later this year, “and then this park will finish its transition, and we’re thinking at the end of this year we’re going to be done with this project.”
Kiker said the new restroom would also be used for a test for possibly more to come.
“We’re going to monitor this and figure out how good a thing this is and perhaps populating the beach accesses along the way so you don’t have to go seven miles to go to the bathroom,” he said.
Schober said developing a landscape for the park was in its final stages and would eventually come before town council before approval.
“All of the public comment generated to date, which at this point amounts to years of commentary, was supplied to the landscape architect and a preliminary conceptual plan has been developed,” Schober said. “The drawing that is up for review by CELCAB is really the culmination of the input that’s been generated.”
Schober said a formal recommendation on the plan could be made at the February CELCAB meeting.
As for if and when the cottage will be moved or demolished, Schober said a public hearing has not been scheduled at this time.