Plans for
a new $50 million park in Golden Gate Estates were approved by Collier County
commissioners on Tuesday.
The park
will be built on a 150-acre tract of land next to the Collier County
Fairgrounds, near the intersection of Oil Well and Immokalee roads.
Urban
sprawl in Collier County is pushing east, meaning more
people, especially young families, are moving into the area.
“When we
moved onto our street, there were like four houses,” said Charlotte
Elliott, who’s lived in the area for 20 years. “Now there’s like
30-something houses.”
Elliott
says kids need a community park like the one approved by county leaders, “they
definitely need somewhere out there for the kids to keep them out of trouble.”
The
county planned on building the park a decade ago, but the plans were put
on hold because of the recession. Some of the park’s amenities include walking
trails, a splash park, swimming pool, basketball, baseball and tennis
courts.
“I think
it’s gonna be good for kids, good for families,” said Dean Coffin, “but
people are used to quiet living on that end of town and I think this is
gonna compromise their privacy.”
Meanwhile,
homeowner Jojo Sayers says park is just too expensive, “government spends too
much money as it is.”
Yet with
the area of Collier County continuing to grow, commissioners say now is the
time to act and Elliot agrees.
“We need
that out there for the kids,” Elliott said.
Crews
will build the park in phases, the first one will most likely begin
sometime next year.
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Home sales are up in Golden Gate Estates while other parts of Naples slows down.
To find more info on homes in the estates visit http://www.napleshomesearcher.com/