In November 2025, while Naples City Council was discussing the closed Cambier Park playground, a mother visiting from Missouri and her two children slipped past the tape and played on the equipment anyway. Naples Press reported what she said: "This is the best playground I've ever seen."
The same article pointed out that the timing was bad. The playground draws families who come to Naples for Thanksgiving and again for the December holidays. A year later, those holidays are coming around again with the playground still closed. The City now expects the replacement to be finished in July 2027. Naples is rebuilding several playgrounds at once, and the one closest to Olde Naples is scheduled to finish last, because its replacement is being custom-built for the site.
Why the Downtown Playground Is Last
The City lists the reason on its Cambier Park Playground Project page. In its September 29, 2026 update, the City said the contractor was still working through permits for the construction equipment and was still manufacturing the two-story Banyan Tree. It also said that because each element is custom-built and unique to the City, construction will take longer than it would for a typical playground.
Custom work was the point. When Council heard public comment in November 2025, Naples landscape architect Ellin Goetz, who worked on an earlier upgrade of the playground, urged the City to pick a company that builds for the site instead of installing "off the shelf" equipment. She explained the old structure's wear this way: "It's hard to get to Cambier these days, and that's because it's packed." The City also ran a Flash Vote with 675 residents. Nature and treehouse themes were the top picks, followed by an aquatic theme.
The approved design follows both. According to the City, it has a two-story Banyan Tree with a bridge and slide, wildlife elements, interactive activity zones, a fully fenced layout for several age groups, and plenty of shade. The City's request for proposals listed an estimated budget of $2,000,000. The executed agreement with Playcore Wisconsin Inc. dba GameTime, dated June 17, 2026, pays the contractor $2,719,882.45. That is roughly $720,000 more than the original estimate.
How the Castle Got Here
The custom approach goes back a long way at Cambier. Naples Press reports that by some estimates the playground dates to 1948, when it opened as Candy Cane City, with posts painted like candy canes and a sign. The paper suggests the name may have been a nod to children visiting with their families over Christmas. Community members used to repaint the kid-sized ponies and racecars on its hand-pushed carousel. In the 1990s, the playground moved to its current spot to make room for the tennis courts. The City describes that 1990s version as the "whimsical castle theme" that replaced the "iconic Candy Cane City playground from the 1960s."
About 30 years of heavy use took their toll on the wood. "It is rotting from the inside out," Community Services Director Chad Merritt told Council, according to Naples Press. An inspection on October 30, 2025 found the playground had passed its useful life and had safety problems that repairs could not fix. The Naples Daily News reported that removal would start November 24, 2025 and finish by November 26, after which the safe portions would reopen.
What Remains at Cambier Right Now
At the time, the newer equipment meant to stay was a set of swings, a climber, monkey bar towers and the shade structures. The City's two pages don't fully agree on what is open today. The project page says select features stay available until construction begins. The Cambier Park listing still calls the playground "currently closed." The City has not posted a construction start date. Check both pages before promising a visiting grandchild the swings.
The pavers are a separate matter for longtime residents. If your family bought an engraved brick paver or fence picket when the old playground was funded, the City plans to remove them for safekeeping before construction. Donors who want theirs back can email Alec Boccaccio at [email protected] with their contact information and the name or inscription on the paver or picket. The City will reach out when the items are ready for pickup. New paver or picket requests are not being taken.
The Order the City's Playgrounds Return
Cambier is one of several City playgrounds being replaced over roughly the same period. Here is the order, based on the City's posted timelines:
- Charlie C. Anthony Park, 1500 5th Avenue North. The new playground has climbing elements, multiple slides, swings, inclusive play areas, shade and a fully fenced layout. The City says it is on schedule to finish by December 1, 2026.
- Lowdermilk Park, 1301 Gulfshore Blvd. North. This one has a coastal theme with a multi-level lighthouse, large climbing elements, a new shelter and shaded swings, helped by a $250,000 donation from the Nommensen Family. It will sit at the south end of the park. Equipment is ordered, and the City expects to finish in April 2027.
- Cambier Park, downtown. This is the custom Banyan Tree, expected in July 2027.
Anthony's December 1 target comes just before the busiest holiday weeks, if it holds. These are the City's projections, though, and neither the Anthony nor the Lowdermilk project page says whether the existing equipment at those parks is open in the meantime.
Where to Play This Holiday Season
Naples Press reported that the City expected Fleischmann Park and Baker Park to stay open while Cambier was closed. It also said Anthony, Lowdermilk and River Park might close at various times for their upgrades.
| Park | Address | What's there | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fleischmann Park | 1600 Fleischmann Blvd | Separate playgrounds for ages 1 to 5 and 6 to 12, sun shades, water-splash zone | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Baker Park | 50 Riverside Circle | Playgrounds, splash pad, climbing play area | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Charlie C. Anthony Park | 1500 5th Avenue North | Playground under replacement, targeted for December 1, 2026 | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Lowdermilk Park | 1301 Gulfshore Blvd. North | Playground replacement expected April 2027 | 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
For a family with both a toddler and an older child, Fleischmann is the simplest pick because it is the only park on the list where the City names separate play areas for each age range. Baker Park adds a splash pad on the Gordon River side of town. Park hours come from the City's directory pages and may not reflect construction, so check the City's site the morning of a visit.
Cambier's Calendar Goes On Without the Playground
The playground is fenced, but the rest of the park is still busy. The Fifth Avenue South Halloween Spooktacular takes over Cambier Park on Saturday, October 31, from 3 to 5 p.m., with live music, dining and shopping on Fifth Avenue afterward from 5 to 8 p.m. The Fifth Avenue South events calendar lists more at Cambier this season: the Naples Concert Band on November 1 and December 6, Stardust Memories Big Band on November 9, the Fine Arts & Craft Show on November 14, Naples Big Band on November 15, and Art in the Park on November 28.
The holiday events that once may have given Candy Cane City its name start a few blocks away. Third Street South's 49th annual Christmas on Third opens with the Naples Tree Lighting on Monday, November 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. Through Thanksgiving week, it runs live music from 5 to 8 p.m. and a 7 p.m. snowfall Tuesday through Saturday, with nothing scheduled on Thanksgiving Day. New this year, children can drop letters to Santa at Fleischmann Plaza near Gattle's or at Santa's Workshop near Sea Salt. Letter forms are available November 25 through December 23. The Fifth Avenue South Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting follows on December 4 and 5, and the tree is lit at about 6 p.m. on the Friday.
Planning a family visit around the holiday calendar is easier with someone who already knows how these blocks work in season. At Taranto Team, we follow the projects shaping daily life in Olde Naples, from the Cambier rebuild to the opening dates along Fifth Avenue and Third Street. Schedule a private consultation, and we'll help you plan your season here.
