📣 Petition Summary
The Cape Coral Rowing Club should be allowed to remain at Tropicana Park.

A recent City Council vote was split 4–4—half supporting keeping the club at the Tropicana Park location, and half supporting relocation to Crystal Lake, a location that does not support the sport.

This is not just about location—this is about preserving a valuable community asset.

The Cape Coral Rowing Club is a non-profit organization developing local youth through discipline, teamwork, and dedication. Athletes train 4+ days per week, compete across the state, and earn scholarships to top institutions—including Stetson University and MIT.

They represent Cape Coral with pride.

 
🚣‍♂️ Why Staying at Tropicana Park Matters

1. Crystal Lake Is Not a Viable Alternative
   There is not a safe, viable path to enter the water and launch the boats
   The slope is 12'-15' high and loaded with riprap and mangroves
   ➡️ Relocation would make proper training impossible and could shut the program down
   
   
2. This Club Strengthens Our Community
   Youth-focused, non-profit program
   Builds discipline, accountability, and teamwork
   Produces college opportunities and scholarships
   Offers one of the only rowing programs south of Sarasota on the Gulf Coast
   Encourages healthy, outdoor, environmentally friendly activity
   
   
3. This Is About Fairness
   Other recreational groups are not required to hide equipment behind walls
   The rowing club is being held to a different and unreasonable standard
   The club has already shown willingness to compromise with responsible buffering and improvements
   
   
4. The Real Concern—Aesthetics—Has a Simple Solution
   Let’s be honest: this issue is not about safety, environment, or community impact.
   
   It’s about visibility.
   
   And in Florida, that is easily addressed with:
   Natural landscaping
   Privacy hedges (Clusia and native plants)
   Thoughtful site design
   ➡️ A reasonable solution exists without forcing relocation
   
   
5. Protect Shared Use of Our Waterways
   Cape Coral’s waterways belong to everyone.
   
   The rowing club represents:
   Non-motorized, environmentally friendly use
   Safe, structured activity
   Positive community engagement
   ➡️ This is exactly the kind of use we should be encouraging—not pushing out

 
⚖️ The Decision Ahead
With the vote currently tied, the final decision is still to be made—and strong community support can help ensure the right outcome.

This comes down to a simple question:

Do we support youth development, teamwork, and the positive shared use of our waterways…
or push it out over the possibility of seeing stored boats amongst the new large development?

 
✅ Our Request
We respectfully ask the City of Cape Coral to:

• Allow the Cape Coral Rowing Club to remain at Tropicana Park
• Approve reasonable solutions for screening and buffering to ensure the area is visually appropriate and well-integrated into the park.
• Support a program that has already proven its value to the community

 
🙌 Show Your Support
If you believe Cape Coral should invest in its youth, protect positive community programs, and support shared use of our waterways—please sign this petition.

We know our community, committee, and Mayor all want what’s best for our youth—and we believe that means prioritizing solutions that allow this program to continue to grow and succeed.

 
🔗 Learn More (see the recent news article):
https://www.winknews.com/news/wink_listens/cape-coral-rowing-clubs-future-at-stake/article_66fc04ab-94d1-4dd2-9519-aacb0c3be6b9.html