Naples Approves Demolition for Major over-haul of Cambier Park Playground

City of Naples Green-lights Cleanup and Rebuild at Iconic Playground

In a significant move for the community, the Cambier Park playground in downtown Naples has cleared a major hurdle: the city council has approved the demolition of the aging structure so designers can begin work on a full rebuild.

The current playground — in place for about 30 years — was officially taped off after city staff flagged the “bones” of the structure as deteriorating beyond repair. Simple patch fixes were deemed insufficient to maintain safety and longevity.

The decision comes after the city budgeted roughly $2 million to fund the project, with an additional consideration of up to $250,000 to replace adjacent fitness equipment.

What’s Planned and What Residents Want

Designers are being asked to submit proposals that reflect the community’s feedback: many respondents favoured a treehouse or nature-theme design, with shaded areas, separate zones for younger (2-5) and older kids (6-12), and inclusive equipment that accommodates a diverse mix of users.

While the playground will be closed during the transition, the broader park remains open and accessible. City officials emphasised that demolition will start soon, followed by the design process, selection of contractors and eventual construction.

Why This Matters Locally

• For families who use Cambier Park regularly, this signals an upgrade of a longstanding local amenity to meet modern expectations for play-space safety and design.

• For real-estate and community marketing in Naples, a refreshed, high-quality playground adds to neighborhood appeal and can support public-space value propositions.

• For the city’s quality-of-life narrative, updating core public amenities like playgrounds helps reinforce Naples’ reputation as a livable, family-friendly destination in Southwest Florida.

Next Steps & Community-Timeline

• Designers will submit bid proposals; the city will review through its Community Services Advisory Board before returning to council for final approval.

• Demolition of the existing playground is expected to begin imminently.

• Once construction begins, periodic updates will likely be shared with the community about timeline, phasing and reopening.