Naples Resort’s Water Park Plan Sparks Community Backlash Amid Major Renovation News

A contentious proposal by the Naples Grande Beach Resort to build a sprawling water attraction is facing a tidal wave of opposition from its neighbors.

The resort, located at 475 Seagate Drive, envisions transforming its tennis courts into a water playground complete with a lazy river, high-rise slides, and a children's pool.

What the resort calls a guest amenity, however, residents are calling an amusement park.

The plans have galvanized fierce resistance from adjacent communities, including Seagate, Naples Cay, and several Pelican Bay neighborhoods who fear the development will bring excessive noise, traffic, and light pollution.

This battle is heating up just as the resort announced a comprehensive, property-wide renovation scheduled to begin in April 2026, which includes “refreshed pool areas.”

This has left many locals wondering if the controversial water park is part of this larger, glossier renovation plan.

Concerns were amplified when neighboring associations, like the Park Shore Association, warned members that the proposed water park would be open to the public, not just hotel guests.

That distinction is critical for residents who bought into the quiet, exclusive lifestyle of the area.

“I call it an amusement park,” stated Patrick Wack, president of the Seagate homeowners association, capturing the sentiment of many.

The final decision may not rest with Collier County officials alone, who could be limited to enforcing commercial building codes on the commercially zoned property.

Instead, the powerful Pelican Bay Foundation, the master governing board for the area, will have a significant say as all property modifications must adhere to its strict covenants.

This puts the Foundation in an awkward position, balancing its duty to resident members against the rights of the Naples Grande, which is also a property owner and member.

Foundation President Tom Polke has expressed hope for a “palatable solution” achieved through productive discussions with the resort's owners.

For now, no formal plans have been finalized, and resort representatives state that “everything is still in discussion.”

But for the residents of one of Florida’s most prestigious coastal communities, the fight to protect their neighborhood's character is just beginning.