Open Shores of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Protecting Public Beach Access
Open Shores of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Protecting Public Beach Access
Protecting Public Beach Access
Protecting Public Beach Access
Public beach access is a long-standing right under Florida law.
Open Shores of Southwest Florida is working to ensure access to Gasparilla Island’s beaches remains meaningful, fair, and available to everyone.
Meaningful public access requires more than simply owning a beach — people must be able to reasonably reach it.

Open Shores of Southwest Florida is dedicated to protecting and preserving public beach access on Gasparilla Island and surrounding coastal communities.
We work to ensure public rights-of-way remain accessible, decision-making remains transparent , and residents and visitors can continue to enjoy Florida’s coastline as intended.
Recent changes to parking and access on Gasparilla Island are limiting practical public beach access.
Public rights-of-way are becoming increasingly difficult to use, affecting residents, visitors, and local businesses.
Open Shores of Southwest Florida is focused on transparency, accountability, and practical solutions.
Community observations help ensure real-world access conditions are understood and considered in future decisions.
👉 Watch recent beach access and parking conditions on Gasparilla Island:

Share your experience to help document real-world beach access and parking impacts.

Help us understand how these changes are affecting local businesses and employees.

Share experiences related to mobility challenges, ADA access, and beach accessibility conditions on Gasparilla Island.

Join our efforts to protect public beach access and support community action—at whatever level feels right for you.
Open Shores of Southwest Florida is documenting real-world beach access conditions on Gasparilla Island, including:
• Parking availability near public beach access points
• Situations where visitors are unable to access the beach
• Impacts on seniors, families, and people with mobility challenges
• Observations from residents, businesses, and beach visitors
Stay updated on beach access issues, community efforts, and important developments affecting Gasparilla Island.
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