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State reopens parking lot at south end

Gasparilla Island State Park reopened its Dune parking area near the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse on Wednesday, April 23. Previously, the Range Light, Sea Grape and Sea Wall beach access areas had been open. The park is in the process of beach renourishment; much of the park remains blocked off. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse at […]

This date in the Boca Beacon

FIVE YEARS AGO COVID-19 was in full swing and the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament for 2020 had been canceled. TEN YEARS AGO The Downtown Beautification Project continued with three benches with palms and bamboo plantings alongside them on both sides of the Post Office. sFIFTEEN YEARS AGO The pain was felt by anyone trying to […]

Garden: Mackinac landscape architect on planting a car-less island

BY LAMAR TOOLE,BOCA GRANDE GARDEN CLUB The final meeting of the Boca Grande Garden Club 2024-25 season was held on April 2 and featured an entertaining presentation by Michigan- and Florida-licensed landscape architect Jack Barnwell, owner of Jack Barnwell Design, Mackinac Island, MI, and partner and lead designer of C3 Gardens, LLC, in Naples. One […]

Donation aids Range Light

Just after a check donation this week from the Boca Grande Disaster Fund to benefit Barrier Island Parks Society, Charles Nadler observes as BIPS President Crossan Seybolt looks at the Range Light with Larry Hannah of the Fund.   Photo by Anna 

Fund announced for deputy house

The Boca Grande Disaster Fund is announcing the fundraising for a new home to be built for deputies working in Boca Grande. After Hurricane Milton, the existing 1920s Florida Cracker home located at 305 Wheeler Road was completely destroyed and condemned. The critical need is to have Lee County deputies living on the island as […]

Town Park restoration begins Easter Monday

BY THE GICIA  The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) will start restoring the Town Park between 3rd and 5th Streets, beginning on Monday. Stormwater intrusion from both Helene and Milton damaged and killed much of the vegetation along the five miles of Bike Path. The Town Park is a highly visible and extensively […]

Parking code change allows Health Clinic to move forward

After an April 15 code amendment for parking requirements for historic districts, Boca Grande Health Clinic will be able to break ground on their new Annex project in May. “The good news is that they adjusted it,” said Mark Driscoll, the clinic’s chief executive officer. On April 15, 2025, Lee County’s Board of County Commissioners […]

Commissioners reflect on visit

Two commissioners from Lee County were in Boca Grande last week, not only to attend the groundbreaking of The Island School and Boca Grande Community Center renovation, but to learn about the island and to research the parking issue. “I had a four-hour tour that included the Community Center groundbreaking,” said David Mulicka, who is […]

Joseph Junkin 1939-2025

Joseph (Joe) Swan Junkin, died peacefully from pulmonary fibrosis on March 29, 2025, with his loving family by his side. Born on June 17, 1939, Joe lived a rich and fulfilling life that touched many around him. He was a devoted family man, accomplished executive and passionate adventurer. Joe grew up in New York and […]