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In speaking with a long-time Residents’ Beach member the other day, I was reminded just how intricately woven the Residents’ Beach is in our members’ lives. A woman came into the MICA office to renew her membership and commented how vital the Residents’ Beach is to her and her family.

Her children are now grown and living elsewhere, but whenever they visit, Residents’ Beach is the number one spot on their list of places to go. She said that she has so many wonderful memories associated with the park.

Her children grew in front of her eyes from little toddlers to mature adults right there on her beach! Roots of life-long friendships with other parents of young children were put down and those relationships continue until this day, blooming and renewing themselves.

Her beach — another wonderful feature of Residents’ Beach is that our members take real pride in their beach. We are fortunate to be able to say that our members tidy up after themselves. As they are leaving the sand, they glance around and pick up any forgotten items or maybe even a soda can that was inadvertently left behind by another individual. You don’t always see that on other beaches, but you do on Marco!

Long-time Beach members can recall the days they spent at the old, hot, metal playground with their children. They now take pleasure in watching their grandchildren scramble onto the new, up-to-date playground equipment!

Of course, times change and more amenities are expected these days and the Marco Island Civic Association continually strives to accommodate members’ needs and expectations along the way. There was a time when there was no food or drink service at Residents’ Beach. Once a year, on Memorial Day, the VFW would grill hot dogs and sell them. Now there is a lovely pavilion that blends with the surroundings and features the Paradise Grill. Offering much more than hot dogs, they now serve a delicious breakfast and lunch menu 365 days per year!

It truly is thrilling to me to know that photo albums and scrapbooks around the world are full of pictures of leisurely days spent at the Marco Island Residents’ Beach and that this park has played such a big part in many, many lives! Residents’ Beach is a very unique and extraordinary place on Marco Island.

Do you have any old pictures of Residents’ Beach? Bring or mail us a copy so that we can fill a page or two in the next MICAWAVE with memories of lazy days spent at the Marco Island Residents’ Beach.

The MICA office is located at 1770 San Marco Road, Suite 204, Marco Island, FL 34145. For further information, please call 642-7778.