Collier Enterprises has completed work to deepen the channel leading to Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club (www.hamiltonharboryachtclub.com) and adjacent Bayview Park.

The deeper channel will provide members of the club, as well as the community, with safer and easier access to Gordon Pass and the Gulf of Mexico.

The channel is now approximately 7 feet deep at low tide, an increase of more than four feet, said Christian Spilker, vice president and general manager of Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club.

According to Amanda Townsend, operations analyst for Collier County Parks and Recreation, launching a boat at low tide prior to the deepening was difficult. “Bayview Park is one of our busiest boat launches. The deeper channel definitely improves the amenity of the boat ramp for park users,” she said.

Combined with the installation of new channel markers and informational signage, the deeper channel will also keep boats away from sensitive sea grasses, which stabilize the soil and provide nutrients to fish and other marine life. The company is working with the City of Naples Department of Natural Resources to install the markers and signage and to monitor and maintain the health, growth and density of what is one of the last remaining sea grass beds in Naples Bay.

“We’ve already lost 90 percent of the sea grass beds in Naples Bay,” said Mike Bauer, City of Naples’ natural resources manager. “With Collier Enterprises’ help we are trying to preserve what is left.”

Sea grass protection is just one part of Collier Enterprises’ environmental effort at Hamilton Harbor. The company has also used seawall construction to restore traditional tidal flows into surrounding mangrove areas and made improvements to storm water management on the club’s property as well as streets in adjacent neighborhoods.

In addition, Hamilton Harbor’s development includes the preservation and enhancement of 160 acres of natural wetlands and uplands and one and one-half miles of mangrove-lined waterfront. The company has cleared these areas of exotic trees and will be carrying out controlled burns and planting hundreds of native plants in order to restore the ecological health of the landscape.

Development of the new club is moving forward on schedule with opening anticipated in early 2008. Located just around the bend from Gordon Pass at the edge of the Rookery Bay National Reserve, Hamilton Harbor will offer 35 wet slips for boats up to 60 feet, dry storage for boats up to 50 feet, concierge services and waterfront dining. For more information, visit