Saving Our Airpark

To all those directly or indirectly involved with the preservation of the Everglades Airpark, we, as members of the newly formed Friends of the Everglades Airpark, Inc. (a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3)) organization, wish to thank everyone for their support in this effort. In late February, Kevin Dohm wrote an article in the Coastal Breeze bringing attention to Collier County's consideration of closing the Everglades Airpark. On March 4, a resident of Everglades City presented a letter for the City Council Members to sign that basically asked the County to preserve the Airpark. The Mayor of the town added his letter stating, "He wished they had consulted the Town before making such a decision." These letters were hand-delivered to the Collier County Commissioners on March 11, 2025. The Airport Authority presented its views on the reasons for closing the Airport, mostly based upon its inability to turn a profit. In rebuttal, several pilots, concerned citizens, and Stacey Heaton, the Southwest Florida rep. for AOPA, spoke giving reasons for why the Airport wasn't profitable and the safety aspects of keeping the Airpark operational. After debate among the Commissioners, Burt Saunders, Chairman, suggested a study should be conducted as to how to make the Airport profitable. Commissioner McDaniel asked that his staff be given permission to study how the Airpark could be closed. Out of respect to Stacey Heaton, the Commissioners asked that an Ad-Hoc Committee be formed to explore all aspects of how to keep the Airpark open and operational. 

It was apparent that two immediate problems had to be addressed: the fueling depot and the neglect of hangar repairs since Hurricane Ian. Mr. Saunders asked that the fuel depot be corrected as soon as possible. Almost three months went by before the fuel depot was operational. Thehangars are still in need of repair. The Vir-Tower was repaired the second week of May. For the three remaining weeks of May, the Tower reported 500 airplane activities. The same report came in for the month of June, and over 500 airplane activities were reported for July. Over 1,500 gallonsof fuel have been sold not only to airplanes but to airboats as well. As a result of some hefty donations, a group of concerned citizens created a not-for-profit Organization entitled "Friends of the Everglades Airpark." Our mission is to advocate and encourage like-minded citizens, pilots, etc., for the continued success of our local airport. We would be remiss not to thank Commissioner Saunders for his comment to "Explore avenues to keep the Airport open." Equally important has been and will remain all the hard work that Stacey Heaton of AOPA has given us towards keeping the Airpark on a steady path towards success. This is a case of many being heard by those we elected to serve us. Just today, I heard a slogan, "Remarkable things can happen when people care." 

Many thanks to all who encouraged our elected officials to do the right thing in preserving this important piece of Everglades City History. 

Sincerely, 

The Board Members of "Friends of the Everglades Airpark, Inc.