Waterways is a gem of many facets. Our residents provide a multi-cultural and multi-generational range of diversity. With a large majority of year-round residents, a high proportion of working families with children, and with almost everyone coming from someplace else, collectively we represent a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and traditions.
This is all in the development of 423 homes with a wonderful network of 150 acres of lakes. The building phase of Waterways is a local success story. The quality and value of a home in Waterways was quickly recognized, and the development was fully built in five years between 1997 and 2002 – two years sooner than expected.
Waterways occupies a unique and convenient location among Orangetree communities. Corkscrew Elementary and Middle Schools are an easy walk along Waterways streets without the need to cross any major roads. Palmetto Ridge High School is slightly to the east of these schools – again can be reached on foot without crossing a major road. Parks and Recreations maintains ball fields at the Elementary and Middle Schools. Also located at Corkscrew Elementary is a Boundless Playground designed to allow able-bodied and children with disabilities to play together. The effort to fund and build this unique Playground was spearheaded by a Waterways resident.
To the north is the County fairgrounds and the County Extension Office. Sharing the building is the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences staffed by experts on the flora and fauna of Southwest Florida. Also on the grounds are gardens showcasing the various plants that can be grown in home gardens.
A state-of-the-art drive-through recycling collection center is to the east of the fairgrounds.
Surrounding that facility and to the east of Waterways is The Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park. The Park, while still under construction, will be 150 acres of sports-related areas and will share several property lines with Waterways of Naples HOA. Construction of this park is divided into two phases. The county broke ground on Phase I, located on the north side of the Bolt Canal, just east of the fairgrounds in late 2019. Phase 1 & 2 will include a massive open-air multipurpose field, an aquatic complex, soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts and a children’s play area. As of February 17th, 2022 some portions of Phase 1 are complete and open to guests, while others are still under construction. More information can be found at the County’s Park and Recreation website.
Waterways receive quick response times from first responders. The County’s Emergency Medical Services and the Estate Sub-Station of the Sheriff’s Office are located less than a mile north of Waterways front gates. Station 10 of the North Collier Fire and Rescue District is headquartered less than 2 miles away on Immokalee Road. While Waterways has had little need for fire suppression, residents are sure to see the fire trucks at least once a year when the firefighters give Santa a guided tour of the neighborhood.
The end result has proven to be a community of active, busy, upbeat people who provide a flavor unique among Naples neighborhoods.