Rich King Memorial Greenway 109/365 Things to Do
This North-South parkway was the result of a traffic corridor study in 2003 while officials were looking for a possible extension of Livingston Road, south from Radio Road, to Rattlesnake Hammock Road along a FPL utility easement, between Airport-Pulling and Santa Barbara roads. Once the idea of the road alignment was abandoned they decided to make a greenway which opened in 2011. It was named in honor of a radio personality from the area who used to broadcast back in the 1990s.
So, what it is is a three-mile long bike/rollerblade/walking asphalt path down a power line utility easement. If you are looking for Naples Parks to explore or things to do a trip down the greenway may be in order. The Rich King Greenway crosses Davis Blvd and terminates at Radio Road and Rattlesnake Roads at either end. It’s kind of a tour of back yards through several subdivisions, some with small backyards, some with bigger backyards. I find it interesting to see different approaches to utilizing back yard space.
Technically, the only parking available to access the greenway that I’m aware of is at the North Radio Road end, where there is a small grass area outside of the gates. I noticed from reading posts online that they recommended using nearby church parking lots. There are two churches along the path, one at Davis, and one at Rattlesnake Hammock, so you could probably park at either of those locations if you keep a low profile about it.
There are no restrooms or water available. There are trash cans, as well as doggy-business bag distribution boxes, (there is probably a simpler name for those?) and a few benches along the way, although if you want shade you’ll have to sit under a tree, if you happen by one.
There are about 3 exercise stations just North of Davis Blvd, but honestly, they are overgrown by bushes, and I don’t think anyone uses them. There are also places to lock up your bike if you want to walk the path. Other than that, it’s just a general pedestrian thoroughfare to get from North to South in an otherwise gated community dominated area, so it is pretty well travelled if for no other reason.
There is a similar linear park in Fort Myers: John C. Yarbrough Linear Park | Fort Myers, Florida
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About the author - John Farren is a resident of Naples, Florida and an avid kayaker.