Bayshore Pedestrian Boardwalk Officially Opens

On February 26, Collier County officials, community leaders, and Bayshore residents gathered to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of the new Bayshore Pedestrian Boardwalk connecting Bayshore Drive to Sugden Regional Park. The project, nearly two decades in the making, creates a direct pedestrian link between surrounding neighborhoods and the popular waterfront park — replacing what was once a nearly two-mile trek along roadways.

Trinity Scott, Collier County Department Head, Transportation Management Services, reflected on the project’s long history. “In 2000, the Bayshore Gateway Triangle redevelopment master plan envisioned a pedestrian connection to Sugden Park — a pathway designed not just to link the two locations, but to bring people, neighborhoods, and opportunities together,” Scott said.

While plans evolved and partnerships shifted over the years, Scott emphasized that the project represents more than infrastructure. “This connection is more than concrete and landscaping. It represents access. It represents walkability. It represents investment and quality of life, and most importantly, it represents what we can accomplish when we work together with patience and determination,” she said.

Collier County Commissioner Dan Kowal noted that residents had long advocated for a safer, shorter route to the park. For years, neighbors could see the park from their homes but had to navigate through wooded areas or travel nearly two miles along Bayshore and Thomasson Drive to reach it. Property acquisition began around 2008, gradually piecing together approximately 17 acres that now form the footprint of the boardwalk.

Kowal, elected in 2022, said fast-tracking the long-discussed project became a priority. “What are we waiting for?” he recalled thinking when he learned the project had been discussed for more than 20 years.

Construction began exactly one year prior to the ribbon cutting, and officials marked the milestone with pride. “Groundbreaking exactly one year — and we’re cutting the ribbon,” Kowal said. He added that the boardwalk is expected to re-energize the surrounding area and spark renewed interest in nearby county-owned parcels.

Bayshore Gateway Triangle CRA Project Manager Tami Scott described the journey to completion, explaining that projects of this scale require layers of design, environmental permitting, and regulatory approvals.

The project received four construction bids ranging from $3.3 million to $7 million, with Infinite Construction selected as the lowest responsible bidder. The final cost came in under budget. “We have currently $11,195 under budget,” Scott said, noting the team completed final construction the night before the ceremony. Scott credited Stantec Engineering, Johnson Engineering, Infinite Construction, Collier County Parks and Recreation, and local partners for their collaboration.

Kevin Mangan, senior principal and landscape architect at Stantec Engineering, highlighted the project’s environmental restoration efforts. Approximately seven acres of dense exotic vegetation were removed, revealing eight acres of previously obscured lakes. More than 1,000 native plants were installed with the help of the Naples Botanical Garden and Natives of Corkscrew Nursery. The site incorporates stormwater retention features, reuses irrigation water, and has dark-sky-friendly lighting. “This was really a privilege to be able to come and work with the community and provide our expertise in design and engineering and environmental stewardship,” Mangan said.

Maurice Gutierrez, chairman of the CRA Advisory Board and Bayshore Beautification MSTU Advisory Committee, summed up the significance of the moment. “You know the difference between a dream and a vision is focus,” Gutierrez said. He credited the late Bill Neal and countless residents who attended meetings, workshops, and public discussions over the years.