Following guidelines set by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and in coordination with neighboring communities, the Town Council of Fort Myers Beach voted today in a special meeting to fully re-open beaches and parking effective 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2020.
Parking will be enforced from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
As set forth by the Governor, restaurants and retail establishments can re-open with the following limitations:
- Restaurants may offer outdoor seating with six foot space between tables and indoor seating capacity at 25 percent
- Retail can operate at 25 percent of indoor capacity
Council members also kept in place their decision, made at the special meeting last Monday, to allow hotels to start accepting reservations on May 15, 2020, effective for occupancy dates as soon as May 15. The prohibition on short-term rentals remains in effect per the Governor’s Executive Order 20-112.
Bay Oaks Recreational Center grounds will be open, including tennis courts and pickle ball courts, but the ball fields, basketball courts, gym, restrooms and community pool (under repair) remain closed. Mound House grounds will be open starting tomorrow from sunrise to sunset; however, the Mound House public restrooms and museum remain closed. Newton Park grounds, parking and restrooms will be open sunrise to sunset.
With all of these actions, the Council urged strict social distancing and personal sanitizing measures. The public is also strongly encouraged to follow all CDC guidelines. Face coverings are recommended when social distancing standards cannot otherwise be maintained.
As of Saturday, May 2, 2020, all parking operations and parking enforcement will resume as normal
- Parking on Old San Carlos, Center Street, and the spaces on Estero Boulevard are $3 per hour with a maximum of two hours. After two hours, vehicles must be moved.
- Parking can be paid at any of the four pay stations on Old San Carlos or by downloading the PassPort Parking app on mobile phones.
- Parking under the bridge, Palm Avenue access, Connecticut Street access and Newton Park/Strandview are $3 per hour with unlimited hours available for purchase. Parking can be paid at the paystations on those accesses or by downloading the PassPort Parking app on mobile phones.
- Fifth Street, Virginia Avenue, Delmar Avenue, Mango Street, Pompano Street, Seaview Street, Hercules Drive, Coconut Drive, Bayview Avenue, Dakota Avenue, Aberdeen Avenue, Lanark Avenue, Gulf Drive and Flamingo Street are all $3 per hour with unlimited hours available for purchase. The PassPort Parking app must be downloaded and used to pay at these locations.
- Download the PassPort Parking app from an app store and set it up before arriving at beach. Then just enter the Zone number and Space number to pay upon arrival.
Remember to practice social distancing and enjoy your stay at Fort Myers Beach!
