Naples Horizon Way beach access open for Thanksgiving weekend

Collier County is putting a beach project on hold for a few days so beachgoers can enjoy a popular spot this holiday weekend.

The Horizon Way beach access point in Naples is open for Thanksgiving weekend Thursday, as the restoration project at the access point is paused until Monday morning.

Crews have finished laying down 65,000 tons of sand, and much of the remaining work involves leveling tracks out, so beachgoers can enjoy the view.

“It’s beautiful, soft, a major difference,” said beachgoer Daron Worth, visiting from Illinois.

The beach looks noticeably different with the progress workers have made.

Worth told us he visits Horizon beach with his family every year. While his kids enjoyed playing on the beach while the project is on pause, he said he looks forward to the full project completion that will enhance his family’s favorite spot.

“The only thing that would be betters is chairs waiting here for me and a Mai Tai,” Worth said.

The project stretched just over two miles to rebuild beaches spanning from Park Shore to South Calm Pass. The project total cost the county $3.5 million and was budgeted using tourism tax dollars.

“I think it’s probably one of the best things I’ve seen as far as our tax dollars being utilized for,” said Steve Crowe, visiting from Indianapolis.

The project is scheduled to be completed New Year’s Day 2020.

Crowe is staying at his condo in Collier for Thanksgiving and told us the project will mean more than pretty beaches.

“If it wasn’t completed or done, that the beach would eventually erode to the point where it’s up to the seawall,” Crowe said.