Mark H. Bickel | Ricardo Rolón
Naples Daily News
With another snowbird and tourist season about to begin in Southwest Florida, here’s a look from our drone at one of the region’s most popular parks, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples.
The video was produced by Naples Daily News drone pilot Ricardo Rolon in July. The drone traveled along the shoreline approximately 1.5 miles from the tip of Wiggins Pass and south past the state park, and into where private condominiums begin. Rolon said he flew the drone at a maximum altitude of 375 feet, but primarily stayed between 100-200 feet of altitude.
You are getting a view of the beach during quieter times. In the coming weeks the park and the beach will be filled with visitors and locals who will be there to soak up the sun and enjoy the amazing views.
The video also provides a view of the beach area nine months after Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, with only a few indications of that storm’s aftermath.
Read more and watch the video of Delnor-Wiggins State Park on naplesnews.com.
Find a home in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
A passenger flight flew from Naples to Miami in 1957. How much did it cost?
J. Kyle Foster | Naples Daily News
The Naples Airport Authority has hired a firm to study whether to relocate the airport.
If the airport moves one day, it will vacate a space that it has called home for 80 years when it began as a military airfield.
Here’s a few things to know about Naples Airport.
How big is the airport?
Naples Airport covers one square mile in East Naples is just west of Airport-Pulling Road. Residential homes run all along North Road and along Davis Boulevard. The 140-acre Gordon River Greenway just north of the airport and 15-acre Baker Park just west.
The airport is home to 360 aircraft, with a significant increase during seasonal months. More than 100,000 takeoffs and landings were made at the airport last year and more than 200,000 passengers were served in 2022.
Find out who uses the Naples Airport, and how it is funded on naplesnews.com
Find a home in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Mark H. Bickel, Ricardo Rolón | Naples Daily News
Note to readers: The Naples Daily News and News-Press drone pilot Ricardo Rolon is looking at some of the unique and noteworthy places in Southwest Florida from the sky. He has recently produced drone videos of Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Matlacha/Pine Island and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. In his latest venture, Rolon flew above the S.S. Jolley Bridge that brings thousands of visitors to Marco Island every year.
- S.S. Jolley Bridge is a bridge located in Collier County, Florida connecting Marco Island with the mainland in Naples.
- The Jolley Bridge opened on Dec. 13, 1969 as the Marco River Bridge and was the second vehicular bridge connecting to Marco Island. The first was the original span of the Goodland Bridge built in 1938.
- The cost to build the bridge was $1.5 million and it took 15 months to complete.
- Spans 1,595 feet and is 55 feet high.
- The bridge reduced the drive to Naples from 28 to 16 miles.
- Tolls, were originally $0.40 per car (later reduced to $0.20), were eliminated in 1979.
- In 2011, a second parallel span was built next to the original to provide two additional travel lanes. Today, southbound traffic uses the newer span, and northbound traffic uses the original span.
- The Jolley Bridge is named for former Collier County Judge Seward Stokley (S.S). Jolley, who served from 1935 until 1959
View the video and historic photo slideshow on naplesnews.com
Find a home in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Jonah Hinebaugh | Naples Daily News
The red carpet took center stage for those who arrived Thursday for opening night at the 15th annual Naples International Film Festival at Artis-Naples.
The festival ends Sunday with a special presentation of Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” featuring a live performance of John Williams’ classic score by the Naples Philharmonic. This year’s festival features 57 films and all screenings will be held in person at Hayes Hall, Norris Garden or Paragon Theaters ― Pavilion.
There are lots of photos of the event on naplesnews.com.
Find a home in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
