Help Protect Paddlers and Wildlife at Don Pedro Island State Park

Charlotte County residents, visitors, paddlers, anglers, and boaters have an opportunity to help improve safety on one of the most heavily used paddling corridors in our community.

Recently, boating speed zone signage was updated along the Intracoastal Waterway adjacent to Don Pedro Island State Park. After requesting clarification from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), we learned that the current signage reflects an interpretation of existing regulations that designates the Intracoastal Waterway channel adjacent to the park as a 25 MPH zone, while the area outside the channel remains Slow Speed / Minimum Wake.

While FWC has confirmed the current signage reflects the rule they are enforcing, they have also confirmed that Charlotte County has the authority to establish a more protective local boating restricted area if a public safety need exists.

We believe that need exists.

The Problem Behind the Change

Don Pedro Island State Park is one of Charlotte County’s most popular paddling destinations.

Every year, thousands of residents and visitors launch kayaks and paddleboards from the park to explore mangrove tunnels, seagrass habitats, and wildlife-rich waters.

Unlike motorized vessels, paddlecraft travel at only a few miles per hour and have limited ability to quickly avoid fast-moving boat traffic.

The area immediately adjacent to the launch serves as a transition point where paddlers enter and exit the Intracoastal Waterway while recreational boat traffic travels through the corridor.

As boating traffic continues to increase throughout Charlotte Harbor and the Intracoastal Waterway, maintaining safe operating speeds near public launch facilities becomes increasingly important.

Why We Are Asking for Action

Florida law allows local governments to establish boating restricted areas when necessary to address public safety concerns near public launch facilities and in areas where hazardous conditions or collision risks exist.

We are asking Charlotte County officials to evaluate the Don Pedro Island State Park launch area and consider:

• Restoring a Slow Speed / Minimum Wake zone adjacent to the park launch
• Extending the protected area further north if warranted by safety data and public input
• Improving protection for kayakers, paddle boarders, anglers, wildlife viewers, and boaters navigating the area
• Reducing collision risks between paddlecraft and motorized vessels
• Providing additional protection for manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and other wildlife that utilize these waters

This is All About Safety

This effort is not intended to restrict responsible boating.
The goal is to create a safer transition area around a heavily used public paddling launch where people, wildlife, and vessels of vastly different speeds regularly interact.

Many Florida communities have established reduced-speed areas near public launch facilities because they provide additional reaction time, improve visibility, reduce wake impacts, and help prevent accidents before they occur.

How You Can Help

If you support improving safety at Don Pedro Island State Park, please contact the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners and ask them to evaluate a local boating safety zone under Florida Statute 327.46.

A short message of support can make a significant difference.

Please respectfully ask the Board to:

• Evaluate the Don Pedro Island State Park launch area for a local boating restricted area
• Restore Slow Speed / Minimum Wake protections adjacent to the launch
• Consider extending protections further north where appropriate
• Prioritize public safety for paddlers, boaters, and wildlife
• Together, we can help ensure Don Pedro Island State Park remains a safe and enjoyable destination for everyone who uses and enjoys these waters.

Thank you for your support.