Palm Island • Little Gasparilla Island • Don Pedro Island • Knight Island/Thornton Key

 
 25% of survey complete.
Defining the Bridgeless Barrier Islands Accessibility Study:

The initial phase of the study (public input process) will seek input from residents and interested parties of Charlotte County’s bridgeless barrier islands on exploring the needs for alternative/additional means (modes) of access to/from the islands and the mainland. It will explore recommendations for which additional mode(s) of access are desired from the transferring of people, goods, and/or services, if any. If it is determined that there may be needs for additional mode(s) of access, then this study will transition into the feasibility study phase. The feasibility study will then include researching potential properties for property acquisition, zoning, environmental resources, access, traffic, and utilities; with site analysis and data gathering, reports, and a final feasibility report with recommendations for potential properties and potential services to be provided.

Note that there is currently no funding for any potential recommendations that may be determined. The results of this feasibility study may produce/identify a defined Capital Improvement Project (CIP) for additional mode(s) of access to Charlotte County’s bridgeless barrier islands. There may be costs associated with the process of procuring design consultants, construction plans, land acquisition, permitting, and/or operations & maintenance in perpetuity of the additional mode(s) of access. Should these costs be incurred, the County could fund them through special assessment(s) to the real property owners benefiting.

Accessibility: noun. the quality of being easy to approach, reach, enter, or use.

Modes of Accessibility: Transportation in boats, vessels, land vehicles, or other way.

This is not an exercise on disability accessibility.

List of Bridgeless Barrier Islands (BBI) to Include:
  • Palm Island
  • Little Gasparilla Island
  • Don Pedro Island
  • Knight Island/Thornton Key
The first round of the survey for the public input process was held with a Survey Monkey, which was open from Dec 18, 2023 to Jan 26, 2024, and a public input meeting held on Jan. 11, 2024 at the Mac V. Horton West County Annex (6868 San Casa Drive). As a result of this survey, it was apparent that there are two (2) distinct regions of the BBIs:

A. North of Don Pedro State Park (including Palm Island, Don Pedro Island, & Knight Island/Thornton Key)
B. South of Don Pedro State Park (Little Gasparilla Island)

The region north of Don Pedro State Park is primarily accessible through the privately operated ferry, serviced by Palm Island Transit. This ferry service transports pedestrians and all vehicles, including golf carts, motorcycles, passenger vehicles, and small and large trucks and trailers. It is capable of transporting vehicles up to 70 feet in length and up to 70 tons, to and from the north islands and the mainland.

The region to the south (Little Gasparilla Island) is separated from the northern islands by Don Pedro State Park. It does not have paved roads and is primarily accessible by foot and by golf cart only. It is not being serviced by any regular ferry service(s) (private or public).

Both regions of the BBIs have individual needs, concerns, directions, logistics, accessibility, and all aspects of island life. The purpose of this follow-up survey is to refine those individual needs.

Question Title

* Which portion of the bridgeless barrier island(s) do you primarily identify with?

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