Beach parking petition now has over 3,000 respondents

A petition survey by a local schoolteacher and longtime island resident to keep beach parking access open has grown to over 3,000 signatures in just over a week.

“Truthfully, I didn’t want to hinder anybody, but I am very passionate about the beach,” said Mila Wyman, who grew up in Boca Grande and still has a residence here. “I think everyone should be able to watch sunsets, find sharks teeth.”

She said that she is not sure of the exact moment she decided to launch a petition but said that she “really didn’t think” it would take off as it has. At press time, it had around 3,300 signatures, and was still gaining. It is on the MoveOn platform, with comments from signatories.

Wyman has friends across the region who have been coming here through the years. The beach is part of their daily life. 

“For instance, I went to the beach two weeks ago and I saw my friends from off island that live in Port Charlotte,” said Wyman. 

In the discussion over beach access up to an August decision by Lee County Commissioners, Wyman said that everyone is going to have to have some give and take. She said that not all the issues are hers to resolve, including what to do about the situation on Gilchrist Avenue or downtown, but they are connected.

“The beach is super important to have those accesses.” said Wyman. “I think we can come up with some ideas when the beach can be available to everyone.”

She wrote the petition language to build a consensus tone. It came after a separate petition was presented to Lee County by a local group that wishes to close most of Gasparilla Island’s beach parking to the general public.

“I really wanted to be respectful towards everybody,” said Wyman.

The week of the Lee County Commission meeting, August 5, is also the first week she goes back to teaching, and she may need others to present the information about the petition.

“Truthfully, that’s the first week we go back to school,” said Wyman. “That is the day I have orientation.”

She hopes there can be a positive solution and has no hard feelings or animosity. 

“We just have to be together as a community,” said Wyman. 

The petition is HERE.